Australian father and 4-year-old daughter found dead on Jeju amid custody fight
A man involved in an Australian custody battle was discovered dead with his 4-year-old daughter inside a car on Jeju Island, authorities say the death was self-inflicted.
In a custody dispute that began in Australia, a man in his 40s brought his 4-year-old daughter to Seoul in October 2025 and later traveled to Jeju Island, where both were found dead inside a car at about 6:08 p.m. on Monday, according to the Jeju Fire and Safety Headquarters. The father is believed to have committed suicide by igniting charcoal briquettes while the child was in the vehicle. The mother had secured a Hague Convention order from the Seoul Family Court for the child’s return and repeatedly sought assistance from Seogwipo police, citing the father’s mental-health issues and a possible abuse report, but says authorities did not locate him or ensure the child’s safety.
An Australian court later cancelled the girl’s passport, and the mother appealed to the South Korean Embassy and the Jeju Provincial Police Agency for emergency protection, which she says was not provided. A police official indicated a statement would be issued after a case review.
Why it matters
The case highlights challenges in enforcing international child-abduction orders and raises concerns about police response to cross-border custody disputes.
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