S. Korea's prime minister orders thorough probe into botched Jeju missing-person investigation

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Sunday ordered a full investigation into the police's handling of the disappearance of Jang Mi-ran, 37, amid mounting criticism over what many have called a botched inquiry.

Han expressed strong regret over the controversy and issued an emergency directive to the Korean National Police Agency, according to the Prime Minister's Office and Yonhap.

"Verify closely whether police improperly closed the case during the process of receiving and handling the missing-person report," Han said, adding that authorities must "promptly draw up fundamental measures to prevent a recurrence and report back."

She also directed police to "mobilize all available personnel to do their utmost in the search for the missing person" and said prank calls and misinformation that cause further distress to the missing person's family must be met with a zero-tolerance response.

Jang left her home in Hallim-eup, Jeju, on the night of May 12 and has not been located in more than three months.

Her partner reported her missing at the time, but police closed the case without finding her — a decision that has since drawn widespread criticism.

Meanwhile, a teenage male who made multiple prank calls to Jang's family was arrested by police on Saturday.

The Korean National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters said the suspect, identified only as A, was arrested on charges of violating the Stalking Punishment Act after sending 17 text messages and making prank calls to a contact number the family had made public, claiming he would help find the missing person if they sent him audio of someone groaning.

Police also issued an emergency protective measure — Order No. 2, prohibiting contact via telecommunications — against the suspect.