Among 2,123 Unregistered Children, 249 Dead... 1,095 Missing (Update)

Ministry of Health and Welfare Announces Comprehensive Survey Results on Unregistered Children
601 Abandoned in Baby Boxes, 232 Guardians Unreachable

On the afternoon of the 11th, police were searching for the body of a baby who was secretly buried two days after birth in October 2017 on the slope of a mountain in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Among 2,123 children with unreported births, 249 were found to have died. The survival or death status of 1,095 children could not be determined, and the police have launched investigations into 814 children.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the results of a full survey of 2,123 children who had birth records but whose births were not reported. The survey targeted unregistered children born between 2015 and last year who only had temporary newborn numbers.

Local governments confirmed the deaths of 222 children. The local governments verified this through death reports, death certificates, or postmortem examination reports. During the process of requesting police investigations for children whose whereabouts could not be confirmed, 27 deceased children were identified. Among them, seven guardians of deceased children were found to have criminal charges and were referred to the prosecution.

More than half, 51.6%, of the children could not have their whereabouts identified by local governments. Among these, the largest group was 601 children (54.9%) abandoned in baby boxes, followed by 232 children (21.2%) whose guardians were unreachable or refused visits. Next were children adopted before birth registration (89), denial of birth (72), and other cases such as inability to submit documents (101).

Local governments confirmed that 771 children were alive. Among them, 704 had completed birth registration, and 21 had overseas birth registrations. Forty-six children were scheduled for birth registration. It was confirmed that these children’s parents had issues such as marital disputes or that unmarried mothers felt burdened by birth registration.

Among children with birth registration, 378 (49.0%) were living at home. Children adopted or placed in facilities numbered 354 (45.9%), and 27 children (3.5%) were being raised by relatives. Twelve children (1.6%) fell under other cases such as foster care.

The age of guardians at the time of childbirth for the surveyed children was mostly in their 30s or older, accounting for 1,027 (48.4%). Those in their 20s numbered 866 (40.8%), and teenagers were about 230 (10.8%).

Lee Ki-il, First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, said, “This survey revealed blind spots in the protection of children with unregistered births. We will support the safe growth of all children born by legislating a protective birth system for fundamental solutions and preparing support measures for single parents and other pregnant women in crisis.”

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