Ruling and Opposition Parties Celebrate 100th Children's Day... United Voice for 'Ending Child Abuse'

South Korea's Child Happiness Index Ranks Lowest Among OECD Member Countries

Children are having a joyful time at the Children's Day 100th Anniversary Festival held on the 5th at the grassy square of Goseokjeong in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] On the 5th, marking the 100th anniversary of Children's Day, both ruling and opposition parties unanimously called for solving child abuse.

Shin Hyun-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said in a written briefing that "last year, 43 children died due to abuse, indicating that protection for abused children is still insufficient," and made the following remarks.

She emphasized, "The happiness index of Korean children ranks the lowest among OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) member countries," adding, "It is necessary to raise awareness of children's rights and prepare practical measures to prevent child abuse."

She continued, "Vulnerable children have suffered more during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must take care of the bodies and minds of exhausted children," and promised, "The Democratic Party will do its best to create a country where children are free from violence and a society where they can grow up safely and healthily without discrimination or exclusion."

Kim Hyung-dong, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, also stated in a commentary that "As of 2020, cases of child abuse in Korea reached 30,905, a remarkable increase of 65.3% compared to 18,700 cases in 2016."

He said, "Although the Supreme Court sentence for the adoptive parents in the so-called 'Jeong-in case' has been finalized, the harsh reality remains that children still suffer from child abuse in legal blind spots," and added, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration's national agenda includes comprehensive establishment of a child abuse prevention system and support for the healthy growth of children."

He pledged, "We will create a world where children can live safely and healthily and dream of hope and happiness."

Spokesperson Kim also emphasized, "The past three years have been difficult due to prolonged COVID-19, preventing children from freely playing with friends, but the day when children can return to their daily lives with friends is not far away," adding, "As teacher Bang Jeong-hwan of Sofa said, 'Children are a generation newer than adults,' it is the duty of adults to ensure that children growing up on this land can open a happy Korea full of hope."