Police Conduct Comprehensive Inspection of Households with '2 or More' Child Abuse Reports... "System Improvement Also Planned" (Comprehensive)

Death of 16-Month-Old Adopted Child in Yangcheon
Seoul Police Develop Internal Reform Plan
Investigation Command Improved and Separate Advisory Group Formed
"Disciplinary Investigation Underway... Won't Take Long"

Mother A, accused of abuse resulting in the death of her 16-month-old adopted child, is heading to a transport vehicle after undergoing a pre-arrest detention hearing at the Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Amid growing public outrage over consecutive child abuse cases in Cheonan, Chungnam, and Yangcheon, Seoul, the police will conduct a comprehensive inspection of households with two or more child abuse reports this year. At the same time, the police are also deliberating on institutional improvements to enhance accountability and expertise in handling child abuse cases.

The National Police Agency announced on the 23rd that from the 24th of this month until the end of the year, joint inspections will be conducted on households with two or more child abuse reports. The joint inspections will involve the police, Ministry of Health and Welfare, local governments, and child protection agencies.

Earlier, the police issued the "Guidelines for Strengthening Child Separation Measures," allowing officers dispatched to the scene to immediately separate the child if there are two or more suspected child abuse reports, even if it is difficult to confirm abuse on site, and if a medical opinion indicates a treatment period of more than two weeks or bruises and wounds suspected to be caused by abuse are found.

In line with this, the police plan to visit households with two or more reports to verify the necessity of separation measures, closely check for additional abuse, and review child protection and support plans. In particular, they will select target households for inspection by comprehensively considering not only 112 emergency calls but also reports from child protection agencies and complaints or accusations.

Regarding the "Yangcheon 16-month-old adopted child abuse death" case, the Seoul Police will also initiate additional institutional improvements. At a press conference on the same day, Jang Ha-yeon, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, announced four measures: ▲ merging the initial investigation team upon two or more reports ▲ systematizing investigation command and reviewing the appropriateness of case handling ▲ forming a child abuse advisory group ▲ and specialized training for investigators.

Specifically, cases with two or more reports will be directed to be reported as major cases to the provincial police agency, and in cases of non-prosecution, the investigation consultative body will conduct a final review of the appropriateness of the matter and measures taken. Additionally, an advisory group of 19 members, including pediatricians and lawyers, will be formed to provide consultation during investigations, and child abuse will be newly included in job training starting next year. Commissioner Jang stated, "The Seoul Police Agency will prepare its own supplementary measures, some of which will be implemented immediately."

The internal investigation into the police's inadequate response to the Yangcheon case is reportedly ongoing. Commissioner Jang explained, "We are investigating the officers who handled and investigated the case as well as the supervisors in the command line," adding, "Since we need to verify objective facts and assess the appropriateness of the measures taken, the process is delayed but it will not take too long."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.