Body believed to be missing woman found on first day of Jeju search

A body believed to be that of a 37-year-old woman who went missing on Jeju Island in May was apparently found Monday, on the first day of a joint search involving police, military and civilian personnel.

The body was discovered at 10:46 a.m. near Hallim Port, about an hour after the search began. Police had expanded the search across the island and mobilized personnel from multiple agencies to locate the woman, identified as Jang Mi-ran.

Police cordoned off the area and sent forensic investigators to examine the scene.

“We will confirm the identity through a detailed forensic examination and DNA testing,” a police official said. “We will also investigate the exact cause and circumstances of death.”

The case drew nationwide attention after it emerged that the police officer initially assigned to it may have closed the case after falsely reporting that he had contacted Jang by phone.

The officer was placed under emergency arrest Saturday after investigators found that he had allegedly closed a second missing-person case last month without conducting a proper investigation.