Biological Father Who Disappeared During 'Abandonment and Manslaughter of Daughter' Trial Acquitted in First Trial... Court Cites "Lack of Evidence"

"Hard to Believe Key Evidence Biological Mother's Testimony... Not Objectively Proven"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A biological father who disappeared after being indicted for causing the death of his newborn daughter by failing to properly care for her was acquitted in a retrial after surrendering himself.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) acquitted husband Kim (44), who was indicted on charges of abandonment resulting in death, on the 2nd. The biological mother, Jo (42), who was also indicted, was acquitted as well.

The court explained the reason for the verdict, stating, "It is difficult to fully trust the key evidence, the testimony of biological mother Jo, and other evidence is indirect or expert evidence, so it cannot be considered to directly support the charges. Based on the evidence presented, it is not objectively proven that Kim neglected his young daughter causing her death and abandoned her."

Kim was indicted on charges of causing the death of his biological daughter by failing to properly care for her after doubting whether the daughter born in October 2010 to Jo, with whom he was in a common-law relationship, was indeed his biological child.

The newborn child died from high fever and other symptoms due to not receiving essential vaccinations, and since the birth was not registered, no institution was aware of the child's death.

This case came to light in March 2017, seven years after the child's death, when Jo, who had been living separately from her husband since 2016, surrendered to the police saying, "I feel guilty and want to be punished."

In the sentencing hearing held in October 2019, the prosecution sought five years imprisonment for Kim and three years imprisonment with five years probation for Jo. The court was scheduled to deliver the first trial verdict in November of that year, but Kim fled without attending the trial.

While on the wanted list, Kim surrendered to the police last May. The prosecution requested a 20-year prison sentence for Kim in the resentencing hearing held last month.

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