‘Life Imprisonment’ Jeong In’s Adoptive Mother, ‘Cruelty’ Revealed in the Verdict Document

Most of the Verdict Dedicated to Proving Murder Charge
Stepfather Sentenced to 5 Years Strongly Criticized for Irresponsibility

The first trial sentencing hearing for Jeong-in's adoptive parents, who were charged with abusing 16-month-old Jeong-in to death, will be held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Seoul Southern District Court. On the morning of the same day, people searching for Jeong-in held a protest rally in front of the Seoul Southern Detention Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] “The defendant’s crimes in this case can be evaluated as inhumane acts that brutally trampled on the dignity and value of human beings, which are guaranteed to everyone under the Constitution.”

On the 14th, Judge Lee Sang-joo, Chief Judge of Criminal Division 3 at the Seoul Southern District Court, read the verdict in a firm voice during the first trial sentencing of Jang Mo, the adoptive mother who abused and caused the death of 16-month-old adoptee Jeong-in.

Judge Lee criticized, “It can be inferred that the victim, after being adopted by the defendant, suffered unimaginable extreme mental pain and fear due to the defendant’s cruel mental and physical abuse amid the defendant’s neglect and coldness, until even the last spark of life was extinguished by the defendant.”

He continued, “By indefinitely isolating the defendant from general society, it is appropriate to hold the defendant accountable for the crimes committed in this case and to provide the defendant with an opportunity to thoroughly repent for their wrongdoing. Therefore, the sentence is determined as ordered,” and sentenced “Defendant Jang OO to life imprisonment.”

The court recognized all the charges brought by the prosecution as guilty, including the murder charge against Jang, which the prosecution applied after much deliberation and even amended the indictment. The atrocities committed by the adoptive parents revealed in the verdict were horrific. Citizens observing the trial wept each time Judge Lee read the verdict. When the murder charge was acknowledged, applause erupted from the gallery.

“There was at least implied intent to kill”…Court recognizes murder charge

The court devoted a significant portion of the 47-page verdict to explaining how Jang caused Jeong-in’s death by striking her abdomen.

The court explained in the verdict, “If the victim’s abdomen had been struck with another blunt object, bruises or other external injuries would have been observed on the victim’s abdomen, but no such bruises or injuries were observed on the victim’s abdomen,” and “It is reasonable to conclude that the defendant applied blunt force to the victim’s abdomen using a body part such as a hand or foot.”

It further stated, “At the time of the victim’s death, the defendant was in a condition where using her hands was uncomfortable to the extent that she could not drive or lift heavy objects, making it difficult to apply strong blunt force with her hands sufficient to sever the victim’s pancreas or rupture the mesentery. Therefore, it appears that the defendant did not apply blunt force to the victim’s abdomen with her hands,” and “Considering the victim was lying down when strong blunt force was applied to the front of the abdomen causing pancreatic severance and mesenteric rupture, and that no other organs were ruptured except the pancreas, it is reasonable to conclude that the victim’s abdomen was stomped on with a foot.”

The court also pointed out, “The defendant strongly stomped on the abdomen of the approximately 16-month-old female victim, who was completely unable to defend herself. Since vital organs are located in the abdominal area, it is reasonable to believe that the defendant was fully aware or could foresee that strongly stomping on the victim’s abdomen could result in the victim’s death,” and “Although the defendant did not have definite intent to kill, at least implied intent to kill can be recognized.”

The first trial sentencing hearing for Jeong-in's adoptive parents, who were charged with abuse leading to the death of 16-month-old Jeong-in, will be held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Seoul Southern District Court. On the morning of the same day, people searching for Jeong-in held a protest rally in front of the Seoul Southern Detention Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

“Blocked even the last chance to save her”…Irresponsible adoptive father

The court also found all charges against the adoptive father, Ahn, guilty. Ahn was sentenced to five years in prison.

The court criticized, “The defendant, as the victim’s adoptive father, was in a position to know better than anyone else about his wife’s parenting attitude and the victim’s condition, yet he only offered implausible excuses claiming he was unaware of the abuse from the investigation stage to the courtroom,” and “Despite three reports of child abuse against his wife, he took no measures to protect the victim and merely catered to his wife’s mood, thereby neglecting the abuse.”

It added, “He even colluded with some of his wife’s acts by abandoning the victim in a car,” and “Had he stopped his wife’s abusive behavior or provided appropriate relief such as medical treatment to the victim, the tragic outcome of the victim’s death could have been prevented.”

The court further stated, “The day before the victim’s death, the daycare center director explained the victim’s deteriorating health condition and strongly urged that the victim be taken to a hospital, but the defendant rejected even this plea,” and “Considering that he blocked even the last chance to save the victim, severe punishment is inevitable.”

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