Parents Sentenced to Prison for Breaking 7-Month-Old Infant's Rib During Marital Fight

Suspected of Leaving Son Behind and Going to PC Bang for Extended Periods

Photo by Getty Images Bank

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A couple in their 20s who abused their 7-month-old son by breaking his ribs during a marital dispute have each been sentenced to prison terms.

On the 25th, the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office requested prison sentences of 5 years and 2 years and 6 months respectively for A (26) and his wife B (25) at the sentencing hearing held by the Jeju District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Jang Chan-su). They were charged with violating the Child Welfare Act (habitual child abandonment and neglect) and the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse causing serious injury).

The prosecution also requested the court to order the defendants to complete a child abuse treatment program and to prohibit them from working in child and youth-related institutions for 10 years.

The prosecution explained the background of the sentencing by stating, "The victim child will have to live with the loss of function in one kidney for life, but the defendants showed no particular sense of guilt or responsibility."

In their final statements, A said, "I will raise the child well with a lifelong feeling of apology," and B also said, "I prioritized my own emotions," adding, "I will live diligently for the child from now on."

The sentencing hearing for these defendants is scheduled for 10 a.m. on December 16.

Earlier, A was accused of breaking his son's ribs while pushing B down with his hand during a marital dispute in their living room at their home in Jeju City on January 18.

At that time, A saw B fall onto their son lying on the floor but instead of helping, he pressed down on B’s shoulders and chest with his hands for about 30 seconds, preventing her from getting up and continuously causing impact to the son. During this time, the son’s ribs were broken, his abdomen swelled to the point that it was difficult to put on a diaper, and he showed signs of cold sweat, but the couple did not immediately take him to the hospital.

Ultimately, the 7-month-old son was taken to the hospital and treated only on the 28th of the same month, ten days later.

Additionally, A and B are accused of leaving their son, who was only two months old in June last year, home alone while they went to PC bangs (internet cafes) for extended periods. It was revealed that from August of the same year until January, the couple neglected their son’s care multiple times by playing online games at PC bangs for at least an hour at a time over about five months.