People Saddest About the Jeong-in Case
Adoptive Families: "Focus Should Be on Abuse, Not Adoptive Families"
Waves of Mourning Continue Online and Offline... Petitions Submitted
Police Chief Kim Chang-ryong: "Deep Apologies... Yangcheon Police Chief Suspended"
[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The 'Jung-in case,' in which an infant died at 16 months old due to abuse by adoptive parents, has left a deep scar on adoptive families as well. For those who have already adopted and are raising children well, this incident has turned their sadness into fear. Many worry that prejudice and cold attitudes toward adoptive families may intensify.
Cho Sun-hye (42, pseudonym), who adopted a daughter six years ago, said that after hearing about this case, her chest felt heavy all day as if carrying a heavy stone. Out of concern, she rarely turns on the TV these days, worried that her young daughter might be hurt by seeing related news. Other adoptive families she knows are in similar situations. Along with grief, they worry that prejudice and distorted views toward adoptive families may worsen because many children themselves know they are adopted, and those around them are aware of it as well.
For this reason, the concerned looks from people around them also feel burdensome. Cho said, "Like other adoptive families, I have never thought of my child as not my own biological child," adding, "While there is absolutely no reason to feel ashamed, it is true that I worry this incident might cause prejudice against adoptive families."
An online cafe where adoptive families gather has temporarily restricted new member registrations. Since the Jung-in case became public through broadcasts, the number of visitors to this site has suddenly increased. Posts expressing concern about distorted views toward adoptive families continue, such as "It makes me angry that the focus of the case keeps shifting to adoption," "Early detection of abuse is the priority, so the idea of strengthening investigations into adoptive families is unreasonable," and "I feel drained as if we are being treated like potential criminals."
Civil society organizations, including the Korea Single Mothers Support Network, held a press conference on the 23rd in front of Holt Children's Services in Mapo-gu, Seoul, regarding adoption procedures. They called for a thorough investigation and fact-finding into the adoption process conducted by Holt Children's Services related to the 16-month-old Jeong-in abuse and murder case. They also demanded that the government strengthen public intervention in adoption procedures and establish measures to prevent recurrence. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
Adoption agencies are worried that families considering adoption or preparing to adopt might become discouraged because of this incident. A representative from the Korea Adoption Promotion Association said, "The problem in this case should be viewed from the perspective of child abuse, not adoptive families," adding, "Nevertheless, it is concerning that the situation appears as if there is something wrong with adoptive families, causing the incident."
Since the Jung-in case became known, waves of mourning have spread online and offline, including the 'Sorry Jung-in' campaign. Tributes from celebrities such as BTS's Jimin, Shin Ae-ra, and Uhm Jung-hwa continue. Actress Lee Young-ae personally visited Andersen Park Cemetery, where Jung-in is laid to rest. Petitions demanding severe punishment for the adoptive mother are also ongoing, mainly from the general public. As of the 7th, a Blue House national petition calling for the dismissal of the police officer in charge of the case has garnered over 270,000 signatures, and another petition demanding that the adoptive parents be charged with murder has exceeded 230,000 signatures.
Voices demanding accountability for the police's inadequate response and calls for measures are growing louder, led by academia and civic groups. Save the Children, an international NGO for relief and development, issued a statement yesterday regarding the Jung-in case, urging "the government to establish effective improvements to the child protection system." On the same day, the Civic Committee for the People's Livelihood Measures filed a complaint with the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office against the chief of the Yangcheon Police Station in Seoul for dereliction of duty and other charges, citing the police's failure to properly respond to abuse reports. In response, Police Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong issued an apology and announced that the Yangcheon Police Station chief has been placed on administrative leave, holding him responsible for the investigation's shortcomings.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
