"Twisted the arm until it made a 'eudeudeuk' sound" Final testimony in Jeong In case trial

Lee Jung-bin, Gachon University Medical School Distinguished Professor, Appears as Final Witness
"Not Crying Much Was Due to Broken Ribs Preventing Tears"

On the 17th, the day of the second trial of the 'Jung-in case,' in which a child died due to abuse by adoptive parents, citizens are holding a protest demanding punishment for the adoptive parents in front of the Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] In the trial of the adoptive parents who abused and caused the death of 16-month-old adoptee Jeong-in, expert testimony was presented stating that Jeong-in must have suffered great pain due to the abuse.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Sang-joo) is conducting the final trial session at 2 p.m. today on charges against the adoptive mother Jang for murder and violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse resulting in death), and charges against the adoptive father Ahn for violating the Child Welfare Act (child abuse, etc.).

Professor Lee Jung-bin, Chair Professor at Gachon University College of Medicine, who participated in the re-examination of Jeong-in’s cause of death, appeared as a witness at today’s trial. Although Professor Lee was selected as a witness in a previous hearing but did not appear in court, he attended this session. He is the last witness for the first trial.

Professor Lee stated, “Considering the absence of bruise-like marks on the victim’s abdomen, it appears that a low-speed pushing force was applied,” and added, “Taking into account the defendant’s statement that she had no strength in her arm due to surgery at the time, it is likely that the victim’s abdomen was stepped on with a foot rather than a hand.”

When the defense asked, “Isn’t it possible that someone unfamiliar with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) caused abdominal injury to Jeong-in while performing CPR?” Professor Lee drew a clear line, saying, “No matter how little someone knows about CPR, no one presses on the abdomen.”

Regarding the multiple fractures found on Jeong-in’s body, Professor Lee explained, “It is almost impossible for fractures to occur just from falling,” and about the scalp hemorrhage, he said, “All the elongated wounds were caused by repeated hitting.” He further testified, “The end part of the arm bone was completely shattered, which occurs only when the arm is twisted,” adding, “It must have been dislocated with a cracking sound.”

Professor Lee also said, “Jang evaluated the victim child as ‘a child who did not cry much,’ but that was because the child could not cry due to broken ribs.” Regarding the circumstance that Jeong-in was gasping for breath every 30 seconds while being transported by taxi to the hospital, he stated, “That kind of gasping breath is the kind that occurs when someone is dying.”

At today’s trial, after the defendants Jang and Ahn are questioned, the prosecution will present its final opinion along with the sentencing recommendation. Afterwards, the defense will make their final arguments, and Jang and Ahn will deliver their closing statements.

Meanwhile, many citizens gathered again at the main gate of the Seoul Southern District Court today, shouting “Death penalty for the adoptive mother” as the transport vehicle presumed to be carrying Jang arrived. During police control, some citizens got tangled and fell. The protest, which started with about ten people at 11:30 a.m., grew to about 50 by the scheduled session time of 2 p.m. They maintained distance from each other while holding placards with phrases such as “Murderer adoptive mother must be sentenced to death” and “Jeong-in’s body is evidence of murder,” continuing their demonstration.