Police: "Murder Charge Not Applied in Jeong-in Case, Consulting with Prosecutors"

The first trial of the 'Jung-in case,' in which the adopted child died due to abuse by the adoptive mother, was held on the 13th at the Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Citizens gathered in front of the courthouse are demanding that the adoptive parents be charged with murder. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police emphasized that applying the charge of child abuse resulting in death in the case of the 16-month-old adopted child abuse death in Yangcheon, Seoul (known as the 'Jung-in case') was done in consultation with the prosecution.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated on the 18th, "The police focused on collecting related evidence and securing testimonies to confirm the causal relationship between the abuse and the death," adding, "After comprehensively reviewing the investigation details and existing precedents, we consulted with the prosecution and sent the case on with the charge of child abuse resulting in death."

He continued, "Since this is an important case, consultation with the prosecution is essential," and added, "For major crimes that can be socially condemned, we will actively consider applying murder charges."

Additionally, regarding the referral of those involved in this case to the disciplinary committee, Seoul Police Chief Jang Ha-yeon explained, "Typically, the disciplinary committee gathers certain disciplinary request matters and holds meetings once every two months," and said, "We expect a regular disciplinary committee meeting to be held in early February."

Meanwhile, concerning the court's recognition that the victim in the quasi-rape injury trial of a Seoul city official was sexually harassed by the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, a police official said, "It is not appropriate to comment on the court's judgment," and added, "Although the police made their best efforts, there was insufficient evidence to reach a conclusion."