Jung-in's Adoptive Parents, Who Said They Would Accept All Punishments, to Receive First Trial Verdict Next Week

Sentencing for First Trial at 1:50 PM on the 14th
Prosecution Seeks Death Penalty in Closing Arguments

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The first trial verdict for the adoptive parents who abused and caused the death of 16-month-old adoptee Jeong-in will be announced next week.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) will hold the first trial sentencing hearing at 1:50 PM on the 14th for the adoptive mother Jang, who is charged with murder and child abuse resulting in death, and the adoptive father Ahn, who is charged with child abuse.

At the sentencing hearing held on April 14, the prosecution demanded the death penalty for Jang. They also requested an order to complete a child abuse treatment program, a 10-year employment restriction at child-related institutions, a 30-year attachment of an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet), and 5 years of probation.

The prosecution stated the reason for the demand, saying, "Any ordinary adult would naturally recognize that if the child, whose health was extremely deteriorated due to multiple fractures and severe abdominal injuries, was strongly stepped on with a foot on the day of death, the victim could die," and added, "Jang is recognized to have had indirect intent to kill."

The prosecution also demanded 7 years and 6 months imprisonment for Ahn. They explained, "Acts that harm human life cannot be tolerated for any reason," and "The defendants were responsible for the victim's health, but Jang brutally abused the child for a long time without any particular reason, eventually killing her, and Ahn neglected this."

However, the adoptive parents denied their charges until the end. Jang admitted to assault and abuse but firmly denied the murder charge. Ahn admitted to some abuse but claimed he was unaware that Jang was abusing the child.

Since being sentenced to death, adoptive mother Jang has submitted letters of remorse six times on the 22nd, 26th, 27th, 29th of last month, and the 3rd and 4th of this month, seemingly in an attempt to reduce her sentence. Ahn also submitted letters of remorse to the court three times after the sentencing hearing.

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