Cheongwadae Aides Meet Child Abuse Victims... President Moon Specially Urges 'At-Risk Children' Measures
[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] "'The president told us to embrace them, so the ajummas came,' they greeted each other while giving gifts including a Pengsoo doll, the fairy tale book Anne of Green Gables, dental masks, and nutritional supplements."
Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, said in a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center on the 25th that Secretary Park Kyung-mi and Secretary for Women and Family Kim Yu-im met with the victims of the child abuse case, the 'Changnyeong children,' on the 24th. The Changnyeong children are receiving care and treatment at a child specialized institution in Gyeongsangnam-do.
Spokesperson Kang explained, "The two secretaries reported that the Changnyeong children were gradually healing their emotional and physical wounds. After successfully escaping through the 15-meter-high veranda of the neighboring house, they were rescued after walking over 1 kilometer barefoot on a mountain path. Fortunately, the child's weight, which was only 25 kg at the time, has now increased to the mid-30 kg range."
The two children delivered thank-you letters addressed to President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook to the secretaries. Spokesperson Kang said, "The children were very happy to know that the president had sent the two secretaries for them," adding, "The two children even wrote letters on the spot titled 'To Grandpa and Grandma President,' respectively."
Spokesperson Kang added, "Although the contents of the letters cannot be disclosed in detail, the letter written by the Changnyeong child contained a childlike message thanking the president and advising him to be careful while driving."
It is known that the two children still bear wounds on their necks caused by chains, burns on their hands from hot frying pans, and bruises all over their bodies. Spokesperson Kang conveyed, "The Changnyeong child dreams of becoming a fashion designer and said that in the future, they want to make good clothes like Chanel to give to Grandpa President and also give them free to the ajummas."
On the 25th, Spokesperson Kang relayed President Moon’s instructions regarding the child abuse agenda. Kang said, "Today, a report was received that nationwide township and neighborhood officials visited 25,000 high-risk children’s homes to check for signs of abuse, and in cases where abuse was found, police reports and welfare services will be provided. I especially urged those involved in the process of handling at-risk children to treat it as their own responsibility."
Spokesperson Kang said, "Do not handle administrative tasks mechanically but take care of the entire process with a motherly heart," adding, "The government plans to establish a joint countermeasure on child abuse by mid-October."
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