One Person Missing
Overview
'One Person Missing' refers to a state where an individual's whereabouts are unknown and cannot be determined. Missing person cases occur due to various causes, ranging from simple runaway to criminal involvement, natural disasters, accidents, and suicide. While the life and safety of the missing person remain unconfirmed, it imposes severe mental and economic burdens on the family and society. In South Korea, tens of thousands of missing person reports are filed annually, and the National Police Agency and related organizations operate systematic investigation and support systems.
Main Content
Definition and Types of Missing Persons
A missing person is defined as a 'missing child, etc.' under the 'Act on the Protection and Support of Missing Children, etc.,' which includes children under 18, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and dementia patients. For general adult missing persons, the legal definition is ambiguous, but the police conduct an initial investigation within 48 hours of receiving a missing person report. Types of missing persons are broadly divided into voluntary missing (runaway, travel), involuntary missing (abduction, kidnapping), accident/disaster missing (mountain accidents, maritime accidents), and suspected suicide missing.
Reporting a Missing Person and Initial Investigation
A missing person report is filed by a family member or acquaintance by visiting a nearby police station or calling 112. When reporting, detailed information such as the missing person's appearance, last known location, belongings, health condition, and mental state must be provided. Upon receiving the report, the police immediately form a 'Missing Person Investigation Task Force' and concurrently conduct CCTV analysis, communication record checks, financial transaction history verification, and field inquiries. Since 2018, the 'Early Missing Person Detection System' has been introduced, sharing information across all national police stations within 24 hours of the report.
Missing Person Investigation System
The National Police Agency has a 'Missing Person Investigation Division,' and each provincial police agency operates a 'Missing Person Investigation Team.' The 'golden time' (initial 72 hours) is crucial for missing person investigations, during which intensive investigations are conducted. Long-term missing cases are classified as 'cold cases' and are periodically reinvestigated. Additionally, in cooperation with the National Forensic Service, DNA analysis, fingerprint matching, and facial recognition technology are utilized. As of 2023, the missing person recovery rate is approximately 85%, but the recovery rate for long-term missing persons is low, at less than 30%.
Support for Families of Missing Persons
Families of missing persons experience mental anguish and economic difficulties. The government operates 'Missing Person Family Support Centers' to provide psychological counseling, legal assistance, and search cost support. Furthermore, 'Missing Person Search Campaigns' are conducted to attract social attention and facilitate information dissemination through social media and portal sites. In 2022, 'Missing Person Family Rest Areas' were established at five locations nationwide to provide spaces where families can rest during the investigation process.
Missing Person Prevention and Social Awareness
For missing person prevention, safety education for children, distribution of location tracking devices for dementia patients, and protection programs for vulnerable groups are implemented. Additionally, 'Missing Person Prevention Day' (May 25th every year) is designated to raise social awareness. Missing person cases are sometimes highlighted as social issues through media coverage, and child missing cases, in particular, can provoke public outrage. However, issues of secondary harm to families of missing persons (suspicion of false reports, inducing suicide, etc.) have also been pointed out, necessitating improvement in social awareness.
Recent Trends
Since 2024, the police have introduced an AI-based missing person prediction system to analyze the movement routes of missing persons in real time. Additionally, searches using drones and thermal imaging cameras have been expanded, and in 2025, a 'Missing Person Integrated Database' was established to strengthen information sharing among police stations nationwide. After COVID-19, the number of missing person reports decreased, but missing cases related to mental illness are on the rise. As of December 2024, the number of missing persons nationwide was approximately 25,000, of which 18,000 were found. Notably, starting in March 2025, the 'Missing Person Early Warning System' is linked to smartphone apps to provide real-time alerts to citizens.
Related Topics
- [[Act on the Protection and Support of Missing Children, etc.]]
- [[National Police Agency Missing Person Investigation Division]]
- [[Cold Case]]
- [[Runaway Youth]]
- [[Missing Dementia Patient]]
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