Elementary Student's Uncle Who Habitually Assaulted Leading to Death: "Public Disclosure of Criminal's Identity" National Petition

Severe Sentence and Identity Disclosure Petition for Child Abuse Murderer
Victim's Elementary School Mother's Petition Shared on Online Community

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Recently, a 5th-grade elementary school student died with bruises all over his body due to habitual abuse by his biological father and stepmother. In response, the biological mother and uncle have launched a national petition demanding severe punishment and public disclosure of personal information of child abuse offenders.

On the 17th, a post titled "Petition on Severe Sentences and Public Disclosure of Personal Information in Child Abuse Murder Cases" was uploaded on the National Assembly's National Consent Petition Board.

Stepmother A and biological father B, accused of abusing their 12-year-old elementary school son to death.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The petitioner, identified as A, stated, "I am the uncle of a child recently killed due to child abuse." He said, "I petition for stronger practical rulings and precedent public disclosure beyond the legal amendment that sets the upper limit of sentences for child abuse cases," adding, "Since mentioning ongoing investigations is not allowed in petitions, I speak broadly." A said, "There are multiple visible wounds on the child's body caused by sharp objects, which can be seen with the naked eye. Is this habitual child abuse? It is not child abuse but attempted murder. The excuse 'I didn't know the child would end up like this' is a lie."

A insisted that the personal information of child abuse criminals should be disclosed. He said, "Please protect the rights of children to be protected and safe," and added, "The anxiety of not knowing where such people work or live is indescribable. Please disclose their personal information like other violent criminals so that children and parents can live with peace of mind."

B, who identified herself as the biological mother of the victimized elementary student, shared the petition link posted by A on the online community 'Bobae Dream.'

B said, "With a mother's torn heart, I want to inform about my son's fear, anxiety, pain, discrimination, abuse, alienation, and unbearable suffering that led him to part ways with the world," adding, "Thinking about how scared and hurt he must have been, how much he must have missed his mother, makes me cry and feel guilty even for grieving." She addressed her child, saying, "I am sorry for your pain you endured and even for being alive."

This petition is currently spreading through online communities such as mom cafes.

On the 17th, a post titled "Petition on Severe Sentencing and Disclosure of Personal Information in Child Abuse Murder Cases" was uploaded on the National Assembly's Public Consent Petition board. [Image source=Captured from the National Assembly Public Consent Petition website]

As of 6 a.m. on the 21st, about 2,500 people have agreed to this petition. If a national consent petition receives 50,000 signatures within 30 days, it is referred to the relevant committees of the National Assembly for review. If the agenda passes the plenary session, it is forwarded to the government, which must report the results back to the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the victim's stepmother (43) is under police investigation for allegedly beating her stepson, C (12), to death in an apartment in Nonhyeon-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon. The biological father (40) is accused of habitual abuse, including repeated beatings.

At the time of death, bruises presumed to be caused by external trauma were found all over C's body. His weight was only 30 kg, more than 15 kg less than boys of the same age.

During the initial police investigation, the biological father and stepmother denied the bruises, claiming they were self-inflicted injuries by the child, but after further questioning, they admitted to some abuse.

The Women and Juvenile Investigation Unit of the Incheon Police Agency plans to indict the stepmother on charges of child abuse resulting in death and the biological father on charges of habitual child abuse. Initially, the police had arrested the stepmother on charges including child abuse causing death, but later changed the charges, concluding that habitual abuse ultimately led to C's death.