The family of Jang Mo, a 37-year-old woman whose remains were discovered 104 days after she went missing on Jeju Island, plans to take legal action against the government. They intend to file a claim for state compensation, alleging negligence by the police in their handling of the initial missing person report. Jang’s remains were found on August 24th in a persimmon orchard approximately 400 meters from her rented accommodation, a location she had been staying at for an extended period.
Family’s Grievances and Planned Actions
Jang’s family, represented by her parents, is preparing to file a lawsuit seeking state compensation. Their legal team stated that they will actively pursue this case, citing what they perceive as a serious mishandling of the investigation by the authorities. The family believes that the police’s alleged failure to properly investigate the initial missing person report led to significant difficulties in locating Jang and ultimately contributed to her death.
As part of their planned actions, Jang’s family and her lawyer are scheduled to visit the persimmon orchard in Hanlim-eup, Jeju City, where her remains were found. Following this visit, they are expected to meet with investigators from the Jeju District Prosecutors’ Office. Furthermore, the family intends to hold a press conference in front of the Jeju Provincial Police Agency headquarters. At this conference, they plan to criticize the police’s conduct and demand accountability.
Allegations of Police Negligence
The core of the family’s complaint revolves around the actions of a police officer, identified as a deputy superintendent, who was part of the missing persons investigation team at the Jeju Western Police Station. According to records, the missing person report for Jang was received on May 15th at approximately 6:43 PM. Crucially, less than three hours later, at around 9:16 PM, the deputy superintendent reportedly closed the case in the 112 emergency call system. The justification entered was that contact had been made with the missing person, Jang.
Further compounding the family’s distress, the initial missing person report profile was allegedly entered into the system with the cause of death listed as ‘traffic accident fatality,’ and subsequently deleted from the management log. The boyfriend, who filed the missing person report, was reportedly told by the officer that Jang was fine, had been contacted, and did not wish to reveal her location.
The family argues that this series of actions constitutes a dereliction of duty. They contend that the police’s premature closure of the case and the misleading information provided to the reporting party significantly hampered the search efforts. This alleged negligence, they believe, prevented Jang from being found sooner and potentially saved.
Forensic Findings and Ongoing Investigation
The discovery of Jang’s remains occurred on August 24th. Her body was found in a persimmon orchard located about 400 meters from the guesthouse where she had been staying. The National Forensic Service conducted an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Initial reports from the police indicated that the forensic examination did not reveal any specific external injuries consistent with a violent impact, such as fractures. However, investigators noted that due to the advanced state of decomposition of the body, it was difficult to definitively determine the exact cause of death, such as strangulation or suffocation. Despite these challenges, the possibility of death by hanging was considered a potential factor based on the preliminary findings.
Police officials have stated that they are keeping all possibilities open regarding the circumstances of Jang’s death and are continuing their investigation. They are reportedly examining all potential scenarios to piece together the events leading up to her disappearance and subsequent discovery.
Legal Recourse and Future Steps
The family’s decision to pursue legal action, including a claim for state compensation, underscores their deep dissatisfaction with the police investigation. They are reportedly considering filing criminal charges against the police officer(s) involved, depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the deputy superintendent’s actions.
The family’s legal team plans to meticulously review the investigation’s findings and the police’s handling of the case. They aim to build a strong case to demonstrate the alleged negligence and seek justice for Jang. The upcoming meeting with the Jeju District Prosecutors’ Office and the planned press conference are critical steps in their strategy to bring public attention to the matter and pressure for a thorough and transparent investigation.
The case highlights the critical importance of prompt and thorough responses to missing person reports. The family’s pursuit of legal action serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when such procedures are perceived to be inadequately followed, especially in cases involving vulnerable individuals or suspicious circumstances.
As the investigation continues, the family hopes for clarity and accountability, seeking to ensure that such a tragedy, compounded by alleged procedural failures, does not happen again.
