The Court in the 'Jeongin Incident' Case States, "Petitions Will Not Be Reviewed Before Determining Guilt or Innocence"

Prosecutors Also Collect and Submit Petitions... Foster Parents Hire Lawyer in 'Cheonan Stepson Murder' Case

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Although citizens' petitions demanding severe punishment for the adoptive parents accused of abusing and causing the death of 16-month-old adopted child Jeong-in are flooding the court, the trial panel has stated that they will not review the petitions until a verdict of guilt or innocence is reached.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Shin Hyuk-jae) announced on the 6th, "There is a concern that it could influence the court's judgment," and added, "We will not review the petitions until all evidence has been examined and a decision on guilt or innocence has been made."

The court explained, "The number of petitions received regarding the Jeong-in case has reached a level that makes it difficult for staff to input them into the system one by one," and stated, "From now on, we will not enter them into the computer system but will file them directly into the records and manage them separately as a special volume."

After the Jeong-in case was reexamined through broadcasts, child organizations and citizens submitted petitions to the court urging severe punishment for the adoptive parents. Online, a 'How to Write a Petition for Jeong-in' guide containing instructions on how and when to submit petitions was shared, encouraging people to send petitions to the trial panel before the first hearing date.

Through the 'Jeong-in, I'm Sorry Challenge' on social networking services (SNS), the case spread rapidly, and with the participation of famous celebrities, it is reported that hundreds of petitions have been received by the court to date.

Prosecutor Kim Jeong-hwa of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, who was in charge of investigating the case, also collected citizens' petitions submitted to the prosecution by the 31st of last month and submitted them to the court.

Meanwhile, the first trial for Jeong-in's adoptive parents is scheduled for the 13th. Among the lawyers appointed by the defendants is Lawyer A, who also handled the appeal trial for the 'Cheonan Stepson Murder Case.' Online campaigns urging Lawyer A to resign are also underway.