"Jeong-in is so pitiful I can't sleep," "They should be executed immediately," outcry
Jeong-in's adoptive parents strongly deny "intent to murder"
On the morning of the 3rd, when the third trial of the adoptive parents in the 'Jung-in case' was held, in front of the Seoul Southern District Court. Citizens are protesting, demanding severe punishment for Jung-in's adoptive parents. Photo by Jumi Lee, intern reporter zoom_0114@asiae.co.kr
[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han and Jumi Lee] "Jeongin, I'm sorry," "Please remember Jeongin," "We are Jeongin's mom and dad!!"
On the morning of the 3rd, the third trial of the adoptive parents who caused the death of Jeongin was held at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 13 (Chief Judge Sangju Lee), where citizens expressed their outrage demanding punishment for the adoptive parents. Citizens raised their voices holding placards with messages such as "Immediately arrest the adoptive father, an accomplice to murder!" and "Adoptive parents are murderers." The adoptive parents mostly admitted to the prosecution's charges during the trial but denied intentionality, claiming it was unintentional. In particular, they strongly denied the murder charges applied by the prosecution.
The area in front of the Southern District Court, where the trial was held, was crowded with members of the Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association and other citizens. Although the number of people gathered was somewhat smaller than during the second trial held in February, the calls for severe punishment of the adoptive parents remained unchanged.
The area around the court was filled with citizens demanding the death penalty for the adoptive parents who abused Jeongin. Funeral wreaths commemorating Jeongin were lined along the road on both sides of the main gate.
A man in his 70s, Mr. Park, who visited the court that day, said, "This Jeongin case is something that cannot be done by a human being," expressing his anger, "I feel so sorry for Jeongin that I can't sleep." He added, "The murder charge must be applied, and the death penalty must be imposed unconditionally," raising his voice.
Mr. Hong, who also came to the court for this trial following the second trial, said, "I came to the court like this to clear Jeongin's unjust grievance," and strongly stated, "Both the adoptive father and mother must be given the severe punishment of the death penalty."
Mr. Kim, a member of the Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association, said, "I think this case is as brutal as a serial murder," emphasizing, "Strong punishment is necessary to raise awareness of child abuse."
In front of the Seoul Southern District Court on the morning of the 3rd. Drawings depicting the late Jeong-in's appearance during her lifetime are placed. Photo by Jumi Lee, intern reporter
Citizens could not contain their anger, saying that the adoptive parents of Jeongin do not repent for their crimes. Mr. Kim criticized, "Regarding the adoptive father who claims he did not know about Jeongin's abuse, Jeongin died without any part of her body intact, yet he claims ignorance to avoid responsibility," adding, "Even now, the way they cover up their crimes with excuses makes me even more furious."
Some citizens wiped away tears at the sight of Jeongin's damaged appearance during her lifetime and the disclosed methods of abuse. A citizen who came from Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province for the protest pointed to a drawing of Jeongin they brought and said with a choked voice, "There is a bruise in the shape of a footprint on Jeongin's face here. Also, she died after losing 95% of her total blood, and that pain would be hard even for an adult to endure."
A citizen in his 70s, who said he came to the court only now due to personal circumstances, confessed, "It was so shocking that the adoptive father shot Jeongin with a BB gun," and added, "My heart ached so much that I cried for days."
In front of the Seoul Southern District Court on the morning of the 3rd. A citizen dressed in mourning clothes is holding a photo of Jeong-in and paying tribute to her. Photo by Jumi Lee, intern reporter zoom_0114@asiae.co.kr
Meanwhile, the court proceeded with the third trial of the adoptive mother, who was detained and indicted on charges including murder, habitual child abuse, child abandonment, and neglect under the Child Welfare Act, and the adoptive father, who was indicted without detention on charges of child abandonment, neglect, and child abuse.
The adoptive parents' defense attorney acknowledged that the adoptive mother fractured Jeongin's left clavicle and other bones but denied some charges, claiming she could not remember them.
Regarding the earlier denial of abuse, the defense explained that at the time, they did not know if it was intentional but upon reflection, they believed it corresponded to indirect intent and thus admitted it.
The adoptive mother also admitted to emotional abuse and neglect of care but strongly denied the murder charge based on indirect intent.
The adoptive mother rebutted, "At least, I never stepped on the victim's abdomen." She further explained, "I did hit the victim's stomach hard once, but it was not a force strong enough to cause death. I still maintain that I could not have known the victim's death was possible."
Meanwhile, the fourth trial, where forensic experts who performed the autopsy on Jeongin and re-examined the cause of death are expected to appear, is scheduled for the 17th.
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