"Virtually No Different from Murder"
Suspended Sentence Requested for Biological Mother in 'Joint Crime' Case
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The prosecution has sought a heavy sentence for a biological father who was indicted for neglecting his two-month-old daughter, resulting in her death, and then went into hiding. The biological mother, who was also brought to trial, was recommended a suspended prison sentence.
On the 12th, the Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Sang-joo) held a trial session for biological father Kim (44) and biological mother Jo (42), who were indicted on charges of infant abandonment resulting in death. On this day, the prosecution requested 20 years imprisonment for Kim and 3 years imprisonment with a 5-year suspension for Jo.
The prosecution stated regarding Kim, "Typically, abandonment resulting in death carries a sentence of 3 to 5 years imprisonment, but this case is practically no different from an act of murder, so it corresponds to 15 years or more under the sentencing guidelines for murder." They added, "Since the previous sentencing request, there has been a change in awareness of child abuse crimes, and considering that the death penalty was sought in a similar case, the 'Jung In case,' as well as the fact that this case could provoke public outrage, these factors were taken into account."
They continued, "Kim repeatedly committed inhumane acts such as frequently abusing his family and ultimately caused the victim’s death. Considering that Kim abandoned the victim’s body for seven years and remains silent despite knowing the whereabouts of the body, a heavy sentence is inevitable."
Regarding Jo, the prosecution explained that although the fact that the two-month-old victim died is serious, they took into account her admission of the crime and deep remorse, as well as the fact that she was subjected to domestic violence by Kim and was unable to resist, leading to joint criminal conduct.
In the final defense, Kim’s lawyer argued, "Since there are doubts about the prosecution’s facts, we hope that Kim will be acquitted." Kim also expressed his grievances throughout the trial.
On the other hand, Jo’s lawyer acknowledged all the charges and requested leniency considering her active cooperation.
Meanwhile, the two are accused of neglecting their daughter, born in October 2010, who was two months old at the time, causing her death and abandoning the body. Since the birth was not registered, the child did not legally exist on paper, and no one knew of her death. However, Jo, who had been living separately from her husband since 2016, turned herself in to the police in 2017, bringing the case to light.
Jo testified that after the baby died, she wrapped the body in packaging material, placed it in a wooden box with soil, sealed it, and kept it at home. She also claimed that Kim later abandoned the baby’s body, which was never found.
The prosecution brought Kim and Jo to trial without detention in January 2019, seeking 5 years imprisonment for Kim and 3 years imprisonment with a 5-year suspension for Jo. However, Kim did not appear on the sentencing date, causing the sentencing to be postponed three times, and his whereabouts remained unknown.
Kim revealed that he was a wanted person by calling the police from a street in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the 21st of last month, about a year and a half later, and was arrested by officers who arrived at the scene.
The sentencing for these individuals is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. on September 2.
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