2-Year-Old Boy Killed by Illegal U-Turn in Jeonju School Zone...Violation of "Minshik Law"

[Asia Economy, Reporter Jin-Young Jeon] Although the "Minshik Law" (an amendment to the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes), which strengthens penalties for traffic accidents occurring within child protection zones (school zones), has been enacted, violations continue to occur. On May 21 in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, a 2-year-old boy was killed after being struck by a car making an illegal U-turn, and in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, an 11-year-old child suffered a fractured arm in a traffic accident.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Deokjin Police Station in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, announced that it plans to request an arrest warrant for A (53) on charges of fatally striking a 2-year-old child in a child protection zone.

According to the police, A, who was driving an SUV, is suspected of hitting and killing a child standing by the roadside while making a U-turn on a road in Banwol-dong, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, at around 12:15 p.m. that day. It was reported that A caused the accident while making an illegal U-turn.

The police stated, "The driver was not under the influence of alcohol. Given the seriousness of the case, we will investigate the circumstances of the accident and then apply for an arrest warrant for A."

On the same day, the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency announced that B (46) has been booked without detention on charges of injuring an 11-year-old child in a child protection zone in Pocheon City on March 27.

The injured child was diagnosed with a fractured arm, requiring six weeks of recovery. During the police investigation, B admitted to speeding due to carelessness.

According to the Minshik Law, if the victim is injured, the offender can be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than 15 years, or fined between 5 million and 30 million won.