'Jeongin Case' First Trial This Week... Will There Be Changes in Positions of Foster Mother and Prosecution?

Yang Mo, Showing No Signs of Remorse, Plans to Submit a Letter of Apology Before Trial
Prosecutors Considering Murder Charges Amidst Flood of Public Criticism

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Seongpil Jo and Byungdon Yoo] The adoptive parents accused of abusing 16-month-old adopted daughter Jeong-in for several months, leading to her death, will stand trial this week.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Shin Hyuk-jae) will hold the first hearing on the 13th at 10:30 a.m. for adoptive mother Jang and adoptive father Ahn, who were indicted and detained on charges including violation of the Child Abuse Punishment Act (child abuse resulting in death) and violation of the Child Welfare Act (child abandonment and neglect), respectively.

Jang is charged with repeatedly assaulting and abusing her adopted daughter Jeong-in from May to October last year, and delivering a strong impact to Jeong-in’s back on October 13, causing her death. She is also accused of emotionally abusing Jeong-in by leaving her alone at home or in the car 15 times between March and October last year, or forcefully pushing the stroller against the elevator wall.

Ahn, Jang’s husband, who was aware of the abuse and Jeong-in’s deteriorating health but took no significant action, was also indicted but remains out of custody.

According to the Women and Children Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jung-woo), Jeong-in died from abdominal injuries caused by a strong impact to her back. However, since the exact method of the impact has not been clarified, the prosecution charged Jang with child abuse resulting in death rather than murder.

However, as the case was re-examined through media coverage, citizens submitted hundreds of petitions to the court and even sent condolence wreaths to the prosecutor’s office, demanding severe punishment for the couple.

Accordingly, the prosecution recently requested a re-examination of Jeong-in’s cause of death by forensic experts, raising attention on whether murder charges will be added.

Previously, the Korean Pediatric Society, which was asked by the prosecution, stated in an opinion letter submitted on the 5th that "the defendant clearly had the intent to kill the victim or at least recognized the possibility that the victim could die from the abuse."

If murder charges are applied, Jang’s sentence is likely to increase significantly. According to the Supreme Court sentencing guidelines, the basic sentence for murder is 10 to 16 years, and with aggravating factors, a life sentence or heavier punishment can be imposed. In contrast, child abuse resulting in death carries a basic sentence of 4 to 7 years and an aggravated sentence of 6 to 10 years, which is relatively lighter.

The prosecution is expected to review whether to amend the indictment based on the opinions of forensic experts. However, since the first trial is approaching, the charges may be changed after the trial begins.

Attention is also focused on whether there will be any change in the couple’s attitude. The lawyer who met Jang, currently detained at Seoul Southern Detention Center on the 7th, said, “There are reports and suspicions that she jumped off the sofa or applied that much force, but she denies it absolutely.” He added, “At least, the adoptive mother’s position is that she did not act with the intention to cause Jeong-in’s death,” but also said, “She continues to think that she might have caused the bone fractures by hitting her and is reflecting on her actions.”

The lawyer explained, “Although Jang disagrees with the prosecution on the circumstances of the child abuse resulting in death, both the adoptive father and mother deeply regret their actions regardless of the charges. I understand they will submit a letter of remorse to the court.”

Whether they show remorse is expected to be confirmed at the first trial. Typically, the first trial involves a procedure to determine whether the defendants admit to each charge raised by the prosecution.

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