351 Cases of Abuse... Jeju Daycare Teachers Sentenced to Prison

"Chronic Abuse... More Abuse Inflicted on Children with Disabilities"

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Woo-seok] The director and teachers of a certain daycare center in Jeju City, who habitually abused children, have all been sentenced to prison.

The Jeju District Court Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Kim Yeon-kyung) on the 16th sentenced daycare teachers A (41) and B (25), who were tried for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (aggravated punishment for child abuse by workers at child welfare facilities), to 2 years and 6 months in prison each.

The court sentenced C (28), who was also indicted on the same charges, to 2 years in prison, and D (43) and E (28) to 1 year and 6 months in prison each.

Additionally, daycare teachers F (25), G (25), and H (26) were each sentenced to 6 months in prison, and I (56) was fined 10 million won. The daycare center director J (64), who was indicted for violating the Child Welfare Act and defamation, was sentenced to 6 months in prison and fined 10 million won.

All 10 individuals were ordered to complete 80 hours of education related to child abuse programs and were banned from employment at child and youth-related institutions for 10 years.

The defendant teachers at the daycare center are accused of committing a total of 351 acts of abuse over approximately three months, from November 9, 2020, to February 15, 2021, targeting 29 infants and toddlers aged 1 to 6, including 11 children with disabilities, at a certain daycare center in Jeju City.

In particular, A, B, C, D, and E habitually abused children, with these five individuals confirmed to have committed about 310 cases of abuse.

Director J is accused of failing to provide education and supervision to prevent the teachers' child abuse and of distorting the facts of the damage, thereby defaming the parents of the victimized children.

The court criticized, "Watching the daycare center's closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, the defendants were shockingly rough when dealing with the victimized children," adding, "Younger children need love and care rather than discipline, but the defendants inflicted more abuse on younger and disabled children."

Regarding the daycare center director, the court pointed out, "After recognizing the circumstances of abuse occurring at their daycare center, instead of correcting the facts or problems, they defamed the parents who raised concerns, which is a serious offense."

However, the court explained the sentencing reasoning, stating, "Since all are first-time offenders and there is a need for settlement with the victims, they will not be detained in court."

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