1,391 Children in Jeonnam Unaccounted for... Identifying the Cause Is a Priority

Kim Jaecheol of Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Raises Concerns Over Child Abductions and Missing Cases
Calls for Safety Verification of Children Registered in Jeonnam

Kim Jaecheol, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Boseong 1), is delivering a 5-minute free speech on the topic "There Should Be No Blind Spots in Child Safety" at the 1st plenary session of the 394th extraordinary meeting on the 15th. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Assembly

Kim Jaecheol, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Boseong 1), stated during his 5-minute free speech at the plenary session on the 15th, "As of the end of March this year, there are 1,391 children who are registered as residents in Jeonnam but cannot be accounted for in Jeonnam's elementary schools." He urged, "The Jeonnam Provincial Government and the Jeonnam Office of Education must investigate the causes and verify the safety of these children."

According to the age-specific resident registration population data submitted to Assemblyman Kim by Jeonnam Province as of the end of March this year, there are 78,625 children aged 7 to 12, and 75,694 elementary school students registered as residents in Jeonnam. Taking into account those subject to compulsory education management, such as those who have deferred or been exempted from school enrollment, 1,391 children remain unaccounted for among Jeonnam's elementary school students.

Assemblyman Kim demanded, "Jeonnam Province and the Jeonnam Office of Education must comprehensively review, including potential institutional improvements, why nearly 1,400 children-more than those subject to compulsory education management-are unaccounted for, and whether there are any safety issues concerning these children, and provide an answer."

He also pointed out, "Recently, as a series of child abduction and attempted abduction cases involving elementary school students have occurred, the police conducted intensive patrols around school routes for three weeks until the 2nd. In Jeonnam as well, crimes involving the abduction or enticement of minors continue, and cases of long-term missing children occur every year. Therefore, child safety policies must not remain as temporary measures."

According to National Police Agency statistics, from 2020 over the past five years, there have been 48 cases of abduction or enticement crimes against minors in Jeonnam. From 2021 over the past three years, there have been 2,152 reports of missing children, with a total of 20 cases remaining unresolved each year when summed.

Assemblyman Kim emphasized, "According to the announcement by the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency and the Jeonnam Autonomous Police Committee in March, there are 800 child safety guardians patrolling elementary school areas for three hours a day. This number has actually decreased compared to 847 in 2021, 847 in 2022, and 818 in 2023. Jeonnam Province and the police must review and expand child safety policies to reflect the changing environment, including the increase in dual-income families and the introduction of all-day schools."

He further pointed out, "According to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, school principals must establish and implement procedures for verifying the identities of visitors and plans for patrolling and monitoring the areas around schools. Although there are school safety guards in operation, there are still many cases where people can enter without significant restrictions."

He added, "From 2021 to June this year, there have been 21 cases of 'intrusions by outsiders' at schools in Jeonnam, including theft and sexual crimes. The Jeonnam Office of Education must establish measures to strictly comply with the law so that there are no blind spots in student safety."