Assemblyman Kim Won-i Calls for Strengthened Management and Supervision of Adoption Child Welfare Conditions

"Thoroughly Investigate the Jeong-in Case and Establish Measures to Prevent Recurrence"

Won-i Kim, Member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Amid growing public outrage over the Jeong-in case, in which a child who was abused by adoptive parents after adoption ended her short life of 16 months, Kim Won-i, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party representing Mokpo City, called for a thorough investigation and the establishment of measures to prevent recurrence.

Kim Won-i, who serves as the Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party, expressed at the party's countermeasure meeting on the 5th that he could not hide his anger, sorrow, and regret over the Jeong-in case, urging the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the status of adopted children and to strengthen management, supervision, and support.

Kim stated that several bills aimed at preventing child abuse, including the "Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes," which he sponsored, have already been submitted to the National Assembly, and insisted that these bills should be promptly passed in the January session.

Additionally, Kim criticized the police's irresponsible and complacent response to the Jeong-in case and demanded accountability and improvement measures.

Until Jeong-in's death on October 13 last year, there had already been three reports to the police suspecting child abuse, but the police in charge closed the investigation without charges, citing a lack of evidence of abuse.

Currently, when a child abuse report occurs, local governments or child protection agencies dispatch personnel to the scene, but due to limitations in on-site intervention and investigation, they cooperate with the police.

However, as cooperation was not smooth in the Jeong-in case, Kim argues that it is necessary to consider granting judicial police authority to local governments and others.

Kim Won-i said, "There must be no more tragic incidents where institutional improvements are discussed only after victims occur," adding, "As a member of the Health and Welfare Committee, I will take the lead in amending laws and improving systems to eradicate child abuse."

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