Human Rights Commission Recommends Institutional Warning to Yangcheon District for Inadequate Response to 'Jeong-in Incident'

The first trial sentencing hearing for Jeong-in's adoptive parents, who were indicted on charges including abuse that led to the death of 16-month-old Jeong-in, will be held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Seoul Southern District Court. On the morning of the same day, people searching for Jeong-in held a protest rally in front of the Seoul Southern Detention Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The National Human Rights Commission has recommended that the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency issue an institutional warning to the Seoul Yangcheon Police Station, where controversy arose over inadequate response in the case of a 16-month-old adopted child who died from abuse.

On the 20th, the Human Rights Commission stated, "The Commissioner General of the National Police Agency bears responsibility for neglecting the state's duty to protect until the victim's right to life was violated," and made this recommendation.

The petitioner filed a third-party complaint on behalf of the victim, Jeong In-yang, against the Yangcheon Police officers in charge around January, stating, "There were three reports of child abuse, and especially during the third report, a pediatrician directly reported suspected child abuse. Despite multiple opportunities to rescue the victim, the police failed to fulfill their duty to protect due to complacent handling."

The respondents from Yangcheon Police Station argued, "The same report has been received and is currently under investigation," and claimed that the complaint against them should be dismissed according to Article 32 of the National Human Rights Commission Act, which states, 'If an investigation is underway by an investigative agency regarding the facts that are the cause of the complaint, the complaint shall be dismissed.'

However, the Human Rights Commission stated, "Whether to dismiss under this provision is at the discretion of the Commission," and added, "An investigation does not necessarily require dismissal."

In its substantive judgment, the Human Rights Commission recognized that "the respondents failed to fulfill their official duties in initial response, investigation, and prevention and follow-up management of child abuse despite three reports of child abuse concerning the victim," and ruled that the respondents violated Jeong In-yang's dignity and value, right to pursue happiness, and right to bodily safety.

The Human Rights Commission also recommended conducting a comprehensive survey on police officers' initial response to and follow-up management of recent child abuse cases, establishing child abuse prevention and field response systems, preparing field monitoring measures, and providing job training for police officers in charge.