If a Child Goes Missing, Notification Sent via Text... Police Establish 'Missing Alert Transmission System'

Sending Focused on Areas with High Discovery Potential
Expecting Crucial Role of Public Reports

Missing alert message example (above) and the linked screen containing missing child information. [Photo by National Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Police Agency announced on the 8th that starting from the 9th of this month, it will officially implement the 'Missing Alert Text Message' system, which sends information about missing children and others via mobile phone text messages when a missing person case occurs.

The missing alert text message contains personal information such as age and physical description, as well as other necessary information for locating the missing person, including children under 18, individuals with intellectual, autism, or mental disabilities, and dementia patients. It is sent with the consent of the guardian, and photos can also be viewed on the linked screen.

Additionally, the messages are sent mainly to areas where the missing children or others are likely to be found, and a notification message is sent when they are found. However, to prevent misuse, the sending time is limited from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and as a principle, only one message is sent per the same target within the same area.

Recently, the number of reports of missing children and others has been decreasing, with the average discovery rate close to 100%. From January to April this year, 12,031 reports of missing children and others were received, of which 12,010 cases (99.8%) were found.

However, since the likelihood of finding missing children and others decreases as the missing period lengthens, the police expect that early public reports at the initial stage of the incident can play a decisive role in discovery. The police plan to continuously improve the system, including establishing their own text message sending system.

Kim Chang-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, emphasized, "Through the implementation of this missing alert text message system, I sincerely hope that not a single missing child or person will be left behind and that they can return safely to their families," and added, "We ask for the active interest and reporting of the public to create a society safe from disappearances."