On the 13th, the first trial of the adoptive parents accused of abusing and causing the death of their 16-month-old adopted daughter, Jeong-in, was held at the Seoul Southern District Court. Adoptive father Ahn is seen leaving the court after the trial. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The adoptive parents accused of abusing and causing the death of 16-month-old adopted child Jeong In-i reportedly submitted letters of apology to the court before the first trial date. The letters appeared to express regret over their inadequate parenting.
On this day, MBN reported that the adoptive mother, Jang, and adoptive father, An, submitted their letters of apology to the court on the 11th, two days before the first trial date.
According to the report, adoptive mother Jang wrote in her letter, "I got irritated with Jeong In-i under the pretext of discipline," and added, "If I could go back, I would not hit or get angry."
She continued, "I left the child without realizing she was in pain, and I scared her by hitting the floor with a stick," and admitted to some abuse, saying, "On the day Jeong In-i died, I was so irritated that I hit her and even shook her."
At the end of her letter, Jang reportedly added a remorseful statement, saying, "I should die, and Jeong In-i should live."
Adoptive father An is also understood to have written similar content. In his letter, An wrote, "I took parenting and raising the child too lightly," and "I was indifferent for not taking her to the emergency room immediately even though she was sick."
He also reportedly expressed self-blame, saying, "I left all the childcare responsibilities to my wife, which ultimately led to the child's death."
Earlier, the court held the first trial for adoptive mother Jang on charges including violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse resulting in death) that morning. The trial for adoptive father An on charges including violation of the Child Welfare Act (child abuse, etc.) was also conducted together.
In this trial, the prosecution applied to amend the indictment to add a murder charge against Jang, and the court approved the request.
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