Won Hee-ryong: "Single mother who posted 200,000 won baby sale ad, heartbroken... Should help rather than criticize"

Controversy Over Single Mother Posting 'Child 200,000 Won' on Danggeun Market

Jeon Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, is giving a lecture at the 8th "Towards a Better World" (Mapo Forum) regular seminar held on the afternoon of the 15th at Mapo Hyundai Building in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, stated that "helping the society comes first rather than blaming" regarding a single mother who posted a message on an online secondhand trading application (app) offering to sell her baby for 200,000 won.

On the 18th, Governor Won wrote on his Facebook, "I was very shocked and heartbroken after seeing the article about a single mother who posted a message about adopting out her baby on an online market. Since she lives in Jeju, I also feel a sense of responsibility."

Governor Won said, "I fully understand the feelings of those who are angry," but added, "(The reason the baby's mother posted the message) seems to be because, as a single mother raising a child alone, she felt overwhelmed and afraid as if she was left alone in the world."

He continued, "As a mother of a life, giving birth to a baby is something to be praised and encouraged. If she cannot raise the child alone, our society should help so that the child can be raised through adoption procedures, etc."

Governor Won also promised to re-examine the protection and support status for single mothers. He said, "We will protect and support women who face social criticism amid fear and despair. Psychological treatment will also be provided if necessary," and added, "We will help as much as possible together with related organizations. Additionally, we will look for points to improve the system."

Earlier, on the 16th, a post offering to trade (adopt) a 36-week-old baby for 200,000 won was uploaded in the Seogwipo area category of the secondhand trading app Danggeun Market, causing controversy.

A single mother in her 20s, finding it difficult to raise the child alone, impulsively posted the sale message but later deleted it.