From last week, we’ve been bringing you updates on the recent local murder case involving Koh Yu-jeong, a 36-year-old woman currently under arrest for allegedly killing her ex-husband in Jeju.

Jeju Port is now being criticized for its poor security as Ms. Koh was found to have boarded a ferry departing from Jeju Port with dismembered body parts of the victim. She later threw them into the sea en route to (완도) Wando Island.

Todd Thacker reports.

[slug] Jeju Port, Geonip-dong, Jeju City

This is Jeju Port.

Passenger vessels, cargo ships, and international cruise ships frequently come and go every day.

As the departure time for a passenger ship approaches, vehicles stream into port to be transported to the mainland.

Security guards stop and inspect each vehicle at the gate. The procedure takes only about 30 seconds.

[slug] Poor checks for transported cars

The guards ask to see the IDs of the driver and passengers, and then let them through.

Occasionally they take a closer look at luggage in the trunk or at cargo on a truck.

Recording
Jeju Port security guard
We check the number of people in a vehicle and their identification.
<싱크 : 제주항 보안요원>
"(검문검색은) 인원을 검색하는 거죠. 지금 이렇게 신분증 받고 출입증 나눠주고 이런 식으로..."

[slug] Murder suspect Koh Yu-jeong left Jeju by ferry

It has come to light that murder suspect Koh Yu-jeong chose a sea route to move between the island and the mainland.

[slug] Koh traveled carrying body parts in bags

In her car were the dismembered remains of her ex-husband, stuffed in boxes and a travel suitcase.

Under the current inspection system at the port, it is impossible to scrutinize the contents of the bags. This means that while carrying the gruesome evidence, Koh left the island undetected.

[slug] Koh tossed bags of body parts while on board

She threw plastic bags of body parts into the sea en route from Jeju to Wando, and disposed of the remaining evidence on the mainland.

If the body parts in her car were detected at the port, the police investigation would have concluded more quickly.

There are detailed inspections carried out in the case of foreign nationals using Jeju Port to travel to the mainland. Those without proper visas are denied passage. But that level of scrutiny does not apply to Korean citizens.

[slug] Ministry of Oceans, Jeju Office: Impossible to check contents of bags

The Jeju Regional Office of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries says it inspects luggage according to regulations, but notes it is impossible to check their contents.

Specialized equipment designed to identity materials that are hazardous or could be used in a terrorist attack are available, but they are allowed to be used only under certain conditions.

INTERVIEW
Kim Jeong-su / Jeju Regional Office, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
It's impossible to detect suspicious or illegal items if they are in luggage. If we inspect every bag in vehicles, the port will be paralyzed.
<인터뷰 : 제주해양수산관리단 해양보안팀장 김정수>
"저희가 트렁크를 열거나 뒷좌석을 육안으로 확인했을 때 발견할 수 없는 건 방법이 없지 않겠습니까? 그렇다고 가방을 다 열라고 하면 아마 항만은 마비될 것 입니다."

[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Jwa Sang-eun

As there are clear gaps in the inspection process at Jeju Port, authorities need to reexamine port security to prevent it from being used as a channel of criminal activity.

Todd Thacker, KCTV