The Korean National Assembly held a plenary session on the 8th and passed an amendment to the law to increase the penalties for child abuse.
The legislation was caused by the abuse and death of her adoptive parents, Zheng Ren, a 16-month-old girl, caused public indignation in South Korea.
According to the amendment, which the South Korean media called “Zheng In-in Law”, local government departments or investigation agencies should start an investigation “immediately” after receiving reports of child abuse.
Nursery staff, social workers, doctors, etc. are obliged to report child abuse.
When the police and public officials specializing in the investigation of child abuse conduct on-site investigations, the range of places accessible is further expanded.
South Korea’s Central Daily reported that the amendment stipulates that the alleged perpetrators of child abuse and child victims should be separated when conducting investigations.
If the suspect refuses to fulfill his obligation to provide testimony and submit materials, he will be fined up to 10 million won; if he obstructs the performance of his official duties, he will be fined up to 50 million won or imprisoned for five years.
Zheng Ren was adopted in February last year.
According to a special report broadcast by Seoul Broadcasting Company’s “Want to Know the Truth” on the 2nd, she was abused by her adoptive parents, fractured several times, and cracked her pancreas.
She died of her injuries in the hospital on October 13 last year. South Korean society was shocked by the government’s commitment to strengthen child protection.
South Korean media follow-up reports pointed out that the police have received reports three times, but they credulously believed the defense of adoptive parents and did not visit home or conduct in-depth investigation.
Similar problems exist in the supervision and return visits of child welfare and adoption agencies, and timely measures have not been taken.
