Professor Lee Sujeong: "Gumi Girl's Biological Mother Who 'Acknowledged DNA but Denied Giving Birth' Made Absurd Statements"

Professor Lee Su-jeong of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University is giving a lecture at the 2021 First Half Special Education on Gender Sensitivity and Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Other Violence held at the Multipurpose Hall of Seoul City Hall on the afternoon of the 11th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Professor Lee Soojeong of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University evaluated the statement by the defendant Seok (48) in the 'Gumi 3-year-old girl case,' who acknowledged the DNA results showing he is the biological mother but claimed he did not give birth, as "an absurd statement."

In a phone interview on June 12 with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show,' Professor Lee said, "It can also be seen as the prosecution failing to secure evidence on how the child was born," adding, "Ultimately, an absurd statement has emerged."

He stated, "Since DNA testing is highly scientific and accurate, it seems it was ultimately difficult to deny the fact that the DNA results matched."

He continued, "(This statement) is now coming out with the assistance of a lawyer, so probably denying the DNA results could be seen as accusing the court that all the defendant's claims are lies. If the defendant refuses to acknowledge it, that could be a very disadvantageous statement. It seems the defendant was persuaded of this."

However, he noted, "It seems highly likely that the court will accept the fact that he is the biological parent," adding, "There is cross-matching evidence indicating that the daughter has the same blood type."

He further explained, "The deceased child is the granddaughter. However, the blood type does not establish a mother-daughter relationship with the older sister. Therefore, not only the DNA but also the blood type, in other words, the cross-evidence, matches."

He pointed out, "The problem is that to prove she is the daughter, evidence of childbirth must be secured, but the prosecution is currently only presenting circumstantial facts about where and how the birth took place."

On the 22nd of last month, the first trial of Ms. Seok, known as the biological mother of the 3-year-old girl from Gumi who died, was held at the Gimcheon Branch of the Daegu District Court. Ms. Seok, who arrived at the Gimcheon Branch, is heading to the courtroom.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Professor Lee identified four circumstantial points raised by the prosecution: ① a man's testimony that Seok had extramarital sexual relations, ② forensic examination of Seok's phone revealing a childbirth application (app) installed for giving birth alone, ③ a 200g weight loss of the child at the hospital, and ④ the child's ankle tag, which was attached immediately after birth, was missing.

He emphasized, "The forensic results of Seok's phone serve as evidence estimating his childbirth, as the phone unofficially contains a childbirth-related app full of information on how to give birth alone at home."

He summarized, "There is no reason to install such an app unnecessarily," adding, "The prosecution claims that the birth did not occur at a hospital but was either a home birth or at a third location."

Regarding the child's weight loss at the hospital, he argued, "Hospitals measure the child's weight every morning and evening. Unless the child has a disease, the weight never decreases immediately after birth."

About Seok's eldest daughter Kim, he said, "She appears to be complying with the trial process as the main person responsible for child abuse resulting in death," adding, "The prosecution has demanded a sentence of 25 years, but she does not seem to be sufficiently refuting this."

Professor Lee stated, "From Kim's perspective, the child was not her own but was entrusted by the mother and raised for a certain period. Now that Kim has a new family and has become pregnant and given birth to another child, she is unfairly burdened with responsibility for the death of that child," adding, "Nevertheless, it is difficult to understand Kim's lack of rebuttal."

He added, "Ultimately, although the older sister did not take care of the younger sibling, the responsibility for child abuse is being placed solely on the daughter," and "Whether the older sister can be held responsible for 25 years for not taking care of the younger sibling will likely become an issue in the older sister's trial going forward."

Earlier, on the 11th, Seok stated at the second trial held at the Gimcheon branch of Daegu District Court, "I agree with the evidence of the DNA test results, but I cannot prove the fact of childbirth based on this."