South Korean Prime Minister Orders Full Search Efforts for Missing Jeju Woman, Cautions Against Secondary Harm

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has issued a directive for a comprehensive search operation for a woman who has been missing in Jeju since May. The Prime Minister's office stated that the order was prompted by reports of prank calls being made to the missing woman's family. The directive emphasizes that actions such as prank calls and the dissemination of fake news targeting the victim's family are unacceptable and will be met with a firm response in accordance with the law. The woman, identified as Jang Mi-ran, aged 37, was last seen leaving her home in Hallim-eup, Jeju, between the evening of May 12th and the early morning of May 13th. Her family reported her missing on May 15th, but the case was initially closed by police shortly after, with an officer reporting contact with the individual. However, Jang did not return, and her mobile phone went offline on May 16th. The family re-reported the disappearance on July 19th, by which time crucial evidence like CCTV footage had been erased due to the passage of time. An investigation into Jang's phone records revealed no calls to the officer who initially handled the case or his precinct. The officer has since been booked on charges of dereliction of duty.