"Jeongin, Sorry, We Will Change" Memorial Waves at Jangji, Yangpyeong

Dozens Visit to Pay Their Respects

Memorial visits continue at the Hi Family Andersen Park Cemetery in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, where Jeong-in is laid to rest.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] As the story of Jeong-in, who died at 16 months old due to abuse by her adoptive parents, is being reexamined and social outrage spreads, visits to pay respects at the late Jeong-in's gravesite continue.

Jeong-in was laid to rest on October 16 last year at 'Hi Family Andersen Park Cemetery,' a children's specialized flower burial site in Seojong-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. This method involves burying the cremated remains around flowers.

On that day, dozens of mourners visited Jeong-in's gravesite until late hours.

The mourners brought flowers, fairy tale books, toys, and snacks, placing them beside the remains.

A sketchbook guestbook prepared by one mourner was filled with messages such as "Jeong-in, I'm sorry," "I found out too late," "Sorry I couldn't protect you," and "We will change things."

A couple from Yongin City said, "We have a daughter around Jeong-in's age, so it hurts even more," adding, "I hope you are not in pain and are happy in heaven."

The appearance of Jeong In-yang during her lifetime, revealed on SBS's 'Unanswered Questions.' Photo by SBS

A pastor managing the cemetery said, "Yesterday and today, at least 100 people have visited Jeong-in's gravesite. We've been running the children's flower burial and tree burial for over 10 years, but this kind of wave of mourning is the first."

Jeong-in died on October 13 last year at a hospital in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu. She had been subjected to continuous violence and abuse by her adoptive mother and is believed to have died from a severe impact to her back.

There were three reports of child abuse after Jeong-in's adoption, but police officers and child protection agencies reportedly failed to find evidence of abuse and returned her to her parents.

The police officers responsible for the case received warnings and other disciplinary actions after the case surfaced, and the prosecution arrested and indicted the adoptive mother on charges including child abuse resulting in death and neglect.

Meanwhile, on Instagram, more than 50,000 posts with the hashtag '#JeonginAhSorry' have been uploaded, continuing the wave of mourning on social media.

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