Family Sent to Prosecution for Daughter Punching and Kicking in Apartment Complex

A family that caused controversy for assaulting their middle school daughter late at night was found to have a history of abusing her.

On the 13th, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul announced that they had sent the parents in their 40s, who assaulted the victim, Ms. A, to the prosecution on charges of child abuse under the Child Welfare Act, and the older brother, a high school student, on charges of assault.

They are accused of assaulting Ms. A for about 20 minutes around midnight on May 15 near an apartment complex in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, by punching and kicking her.

The police responded to a witness report at the time and arrested the parents and older brother in a nearby apartment. Subsequently, based on CCTV footage and other evidence, temporary measures were taken to prevent them from approaching or contacting the victim.

Based on Ms. A’s testimony, statements from family members saying "there was previous abuse," and psychological analysis results, the police determined that they are subject to criminal punishment.

Even if there is no criminal suspicion in child abuse cases, the case is sent to the prosecution. When it is deemed preferable to provide an opportunity for improvement, the case may be sent with a child protection opinion that includes protective measures such as restraining orders, custody, treatment, counseling, or education.

A police official stated, "The profiling analysis results indicated a high risk of re-abuse, so returning to the family was deemed inappropriate," and added, "We judged that criminal punishment was appropriate."