Who was the body found in Jeju confirmed to be?

Police confirmed the body was that of Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman who had been missing. The identification was based on an autopsy that matched her teeth, while DNA analysis is still under way.

Why is the Jeju missing-person case drawing nationwide attention?

The case drew attention after it emerged that the officer in charge closed it hours after the boyfriend reported Jang missing. Police said the officer allegedly told the boyfriend he had spoken with her and was told not to share her location.

What are police investigating after the body was found in Jeju?

Police are trying to determine the exact cause of death and are reviewing forensic evidence, including Jang’s cellphone. They said the body was too decomposed to confirm signs of external trauma.

Discovered body confirmed to be of woman missing in Jeju: police

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Summary

A body discovered in Jeju was confirmed to be that of Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old missing woman whose case was allegedly closed prematurely in May. Police said the body was found in a forest about a kilometer from the long-term accommodation where she had stayed before disappearing on May 12. An autopsy confirmed the teeth matched Jang’s, and a separate DNA analysis is under way. Police are also investigating the exact cause of death and the handling of the missing-person case.

Key Facts

The body was found the previous day in a forest about a kilometer from the long-term accommodation facility where Jang Mi-ran had stayed before disappearing on May 12.
An autopsy conducted Tuesday morning confirmed that the teeth matched those of Jang Mi-ran.
Police said the body was severely decomposed, making it impossible to identify signs of external trauma.
Investigators are examining the exact cause of death, including through a forensic analysis of her cellphone.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 25, 2026 5:14 pm KST

Police conduct a forensic examination after finding the body of Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing for several months, at a palm farm on southern Jeju Island, Monday. Yonhap

JEJU — A body discovered on the southern island of Jeju has been confirmed to be that of Jang Mi-ran, a missing woman whose case was allegedly closed prematurely in May, police said Tuesday.

The body was found the previous day in a forest located only about a kilometer away from the long-term accommodation facility where the 37-year-old had stayed until her disappearance on May 12.

An autopsy was conducted Tuesday morning, and the teeth were confirmed to match those of Jang, the Jeju Provincial Police Agency said. A separate DNA analysis is under way.

"The body was severely decomposed so it is impossible to identify signs of external trauma," the police said.

Earlier, police said Jang was presumed to have hanged herself, judging from the body's shape and position when it was found.

An investigation is under way to determine the exact cause of death, including through a forensic analysis of her cellphone.

The case has drawn nationwide attention after the police officer in charge was found to have closed it hours after her boyfriend reported her missing while allegedly lying to the boyfriend that he had spoken with her but been told not to share her location.

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