Ministry of Health and Welfare Conducts Comprehensive Survey on the Conditions of Children Living in Childcare Facilities

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyun-ui Cho] The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 14th that it will investigate the safety and rights protection status of all 15,000 children under protection in child care facilities nationwide, considering restrictions on external visitors to child care facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local governments and child protection agencies will conduct joint inspections of all resident children under protection at approximately 870 child care facilities nationwide from the 6th of this month until November 30.

The main inspection items include ▲compliance with abuse reporting procedures ▲implementation of human rights education for children and staff ▲completion of abuse-related training ▲staff abuse-related issues ▲child discipline ▲corporal punishment ▲language and behavior ▲ADHD causes, diagnosis process, medication, and management ▲health, totaling 12 items.

If signs of abuse are found, evidence (documents, photos, etc.) will be secured and police reports and administrative actions will be taken. Measures will also be taken according to manuals related to child abuse in cooperation with city/county/district offices and the police (child protection agencies).

For facilities with serious violations, violation confirmation documents will be requested according to relevant laws, and the respective local governments will carry out judicial and administrative actions. Minor violations will require on-site measures, immediate improvements, and administrative guidance if necessary.

Since abuse within facilities is difficult to report by outsiders or the victimized children themselves, child protection specialists will directly face the children and closely examine their health and hygiene status to confirm their protection status. Compliance with COVID-19 quarantine guidelines in child welfare facilities will also be inspected.

Children found on-site with abnormal or suspicious signs related to child abuse will be immediately separated and given initial protection measures such as psychological and medical support. Staff suspected of abuse or who neglected their reporting duties despite knowing about abuse will be strictly punished according to laws and principles, including administrative sanctions and criminal charges.

In cases of administrative sanctions, facilities will be closed upon one occurrence of serious child abuse. For criminal charges, child abuse perpetrators may face up to 10 years imprisonment or fines up to 100 million KRW for sexual crimes, and up to 5 years imprisonment or fines up to 50 million KRW for physical or mental abuse. Field opinions on system improvements will be collected, and guidance and consulting will also be provided on-site.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has strengthened the response system for child protection within facilities by conducting full and ad-hoc inspections more than twice a year, distributing child abuse prevention checklists and human rights protection guidelines, immediately suspending staff suspected of abuse, and imposing heavier penalties on abusive staff. Since 2012, psychological tests and customized treatment and rehabilitation programs have been provided for facility children who have experienced abuse from parents and face psychological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties.

Byun Hyo-sun, Director of the Child Rights Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, “This inspection will focus on securing the safety of children while carefully examining whether the child abuse response system is functioning properly on-site, identifying factors that infringe on children’s rights, and seeking countermeasures.”