South Korean president calls for greater police accountability after Jeju missing-person cases

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for greater police accountability after public outrage over the handling of a series of missing-person cases on Jeju island.

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for greater police accountability after public outrage over the handling of a series of missing-person cases on Jeju island, as reforms are set to give the force a bigger role in criminal investigations.

“Police are likely to wield the greatest power among state institutions,” Lee told a cabinet meeting Tuesday, adding that the public questioned whether the force could bear the responsibility.

“Responsibility must be strengthened in proportion to the size of the authority.”

Four people reported missing on Jeju were found dead over three days through Monday, authorities said.

The cases were unrelated, but two had allegedly been closed by the same officer without confirmation that the missing people were safe.