'Jeongin Act' Passed in Plenary Session... Immediate Investigation Upon Child Abuse Report

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The so-called 'Jeongin Act,' which expands the authority to investigate child abuse, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 8th.

On the same day, the National Assembly held a plenary session and processed amendments to the Civil Act and the Child Abuse Punishment Act containing these provisions.

The amendment to the Child Abuse Punishment Act centers on requiring local governments or investigative agencies to begin investigations immediately when a mandatory reporter of child abuse reports the abuse.

Additionally, the scope of places that judicial police officers and child abuse dedicated officials can access after responding to a report was expanded from just the abuse report site to include 'places necessary to protect the victimized child.' It also includes provisions allowing judicial police officers to separate the victimized child or the reporter from the child abuse perpetrator during on-site investigations.

Furthermore, to ensure the effectiveness of protecting victimized children, if Saturdays and public holidays are included within the 72-hour upper limit for emergency measures for victimized children, the emergency measure period can be extended within a 48-hour range. During emergency measures for victimized children, access to the residence or vehicle of the child abuse perpetrator is permitted.

Along with this, the fine for obstructing the performance of duties related to child abuse crimes was raised from the current maximum of 15 million won to 50 million won. The imprisonment term of up to five years remains unchanged.

The amendment to the Civil Act deleted Article 915, which grants parental disciplinary rights, as it was feared to be abused as a defense by child abuse perpetrators.

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