What did Han Byung-do say the ruling party will do about police reform after the Jeju missing-person case?

Han said the Democratic Party of Korea will draw up a comprehensive plan to reform the police organization and establish an investigation system the public can trust. He also said the party would reveal police wrongdoing and hold those responsible strictly accountable.

Why is the Jeju missing-person case linked to prosecution reform?

Han said the case has drawn particular attention because police are due to assume greater investigative responsibilities in October. At that point, prosecutors will lose their independent and supplementary investigative powers under the ruling party’s prosecution reforms.

What problem did Han say police leadership must uncover in Jang Mi-ran’s case?

Han urged police leadership to thoroughly uncover the full circumstances surrounding the false closure of Jang’s missing-person case. He said a police force that fails to earn the public’s trust has no reason to exist.

Ruling party vows police reform over mishandling of missing-person case

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Summary

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do said the ruling party will prepare a comprehensive plan to reform the police and build a trustworthy investigation system. He spoke Tuesday, one day after a body believed to be that of missing woman Jang Mi-ran was found on Jeju following a delayed search caused by a police officer’s false closure of her case. Han linked the case to upcoming prosecution reforms and said police must strengthen accountability, transparency and democratic oversight.

Key Facts

Han made the remarks at a party meeting at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The body was found on the southern resort island of Jeju one day before his remarks.
The case drew attention because police are set to take on greater investigative responsibilities in October.
Under the sweeping prosecution reforms, prosecutors will lose their independent and supplementary investigative powers.
Han said the Democratic Party of Korea would reveal police wrongdoing and hold those responsible strictly accountable.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 25, 2026 12:10 pm KST

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do speaks during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do said Tuesday that the ruling party will draw up a comprehensive plan to reform the police organization and establish a trustworthy investigation system.

Han made the remarks one day after a body believed to be that of missing woman Jang Mi-ran was found on the southern resort island of Jeju following a delayed search caused by a police officer's false closure of her missing-person case.

The case drew particular attention as the police are set to assume greater investigative responsibilities in October, when prosecutors will lose their independent and supplementary investigative powers under sweeping prosecution reforms spearheaded by the ruling party.

"The Democratic Party of Korea will fulfill its responsibilities to the very end in devising a comprehensive plan for the reform of the police organization and establish an investigation system that the public can trust," Han said at a party meeting at the National Assembly.

"We'll coolly reveal the police's wrongdoing and hold those responsible strictly accountable," he said, urging police leadership to thoroughly uncover the full circumstances surrounding the false closure of Jang's case.

Han stressed that a police force that fails to earn the public's trust has no reason to exist.

He then vowed not to allow Jang's case to fuel public anxiety and distrust over the new criminal justice system. "As police authority is set to expand, the police must further strengthen their investigative capabilities, accountability, transparency and democratic oversight," he said.

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