South Korean police log a missing-person report every five minutes during Chuseok holidays
During the past three Chuseok holidays, South Korean police recorded 5,155 missing-person reports, averaging one every five minutes, with adults making up the majority.
Data obtained from the National Police Agency reveal that 5,155 missing-person reports were submitted during the three most recent Chuseok holiday periods, translating to one report every five minutes. Adults, including those who left home voluntarily, represented 58.1% of the filings, followed by children under 18 at 19.1%, dementia patients at 15.6%, and individuals with intellectual or mental disabilities at 7.2%. Police closed 92.1% of these cases by the end of each holiday, ultimately resolving all but three reports.
Scrutiny has intensified after an officer on Jeju Island closed a woman's missing-person file without verifying her whereabouts. In response, authorities are auditing roughly 310,000 cases closed over the past three years, a review expected to finish by November. The investigation aims to ensure proper verification before case closures.
