South Korea Utilizes AI to Locate Missing Children

In South Korea, authorities have begun using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to generate realistic images of what missing children may look like as adults. As of 2025, there are 1,050 individuals who disappeared as children and remain unaccounted for. The National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) has collaborated with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to produce AI-generated posters for 60 long-term missing children. This technology analyzes typical age-progression patterns and applies them to the last known photographs of the children, creating images that reflect their likely adult appearances.

The Straits TimesIs AI Ushering in an Era of Easier Searches for the Missing?

The NCRC's project is supported by the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Notable examples include Kim I-gon, who went missing in 1985 at the age of 13. The AI-generated image depicts him at 52 years old, showcasing features such as a squared jaw and visible wrinkles. The initiative aims to stimulate public interest and generate new leads in these long-standing cases.

The Straits Times

The AI technology, first developed in 2015, has significantly improved with the introduction of super-resolution imaging in 2023, enhancing image quality by four times compared to previous methods. Kim Ikjae, Director of the AI and Robotics Research Division at KAIST, explained that the AI is trained to recognize common age-related changes in facial features, such as the angularity of jaws in boys and the softening of faces in girls. This localized process has eliminated the need for costly and time-consuming requests to foreign companies for similar services.

Is AI Ushering in an Era of Easier Searches for the Missing?

The NCRC reports that updated posters have occasionally led to new public tips and reports. However, reunifications based on these posters occur approximately once every two to three years. As of last year, there were 1,417 long-term missing children and persons with disabilities, with 1,128 missing for over 20 years. While AI has shown promise in locating short-term missing persons, such as an elderly individual with dementia, the technology's effectiveness in long-term cases remains to be fully realized.

Is AI Ushering in an Era of Easier Searches for the Missing?

Despite the advancements, some critics question the reliance on AI for such sensitive matters. Concerns have been raised regarding the emotional impact on families of missing children, as well as the potential for AI-generated images to mislead the public. The NCRC and its partners continue to navigate these challenges while striving to enhance their efforts in locating missing individuals.

Is AI Ushering in an Era of Easier Searches for the Missing?

• “We trained the AI to recognize the facial features that change over time.” — Kim Ikjae, Director of the AI and Robotics Research Division at KAIST

Is AI Ushering in an Era of Easier Searches for the Missing?

• “Officials said the updated posters have occasionally prompted new public reports and tips.” — NCRC Official

The Straits Times

This innovative approach by South Korea highlights the potential of AI technology in addressing the critical issue of missing children, while also emphasizing the need for sensitivity and careful consideration in its application.

Is AI Ushering in an Era of Easier Searches for the Missing?