Missing Gwangju Middle School Girl Found in Icheon and Sent Home... Police Investigate Villa Provider

Missing Female Middle School Student Found in a Villa in Icheon-si, Gyeonggi
Fortunately, No Significant Health Issues Reported

A 13-year-old middle school girl who disappeared in Gwangju was found three days after her missing report at a villa in Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. The police handed the girl over to her family and are investigating the man who provided the residence.

The Gwangju Nambu Police Station announced on the 17th at around 11:30 a.m. that they found the missing middle school girl, Oh Mo-yang (13), at a villa in Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. Oh was alone at the time of discovery and was reported to be in good health.

Appearance of Ms. Oh at the time of disappearance. [Image source=National Police Agency Missing Children Search Center Blog]

The police began tracking after receiving a report from the family on the 15th that Oh left her home in Juwol-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju, took a city bus, and then went missing near Chonnam National University in Yongbong-dong, Buk-gu. Through the bus’s internal closed-circuit television (CCTV) and other means, the police confirmed that Oh headed to Icheon-si via the Gwangju Express Bus Terminal. After local inquiries, they finally identified her whereabouts.

It is still unknown how and why Oh traveled all the way to Gyeonggi-do. However, it is known that a man introduced by someone provided her with a place to stay. The Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station is investigating Mr. A, the man who introduced the place to Oh, on suspicion of violating the Missing Child Act by taking him in voluntarily. However, no unusual circumstances were found, so he has not been formally charged.

Meanwhile, the police plan to ascertain detailed circumstances once Oh stabilizes.