A total of 6,795 last year... 114 reported more than 10 times
According to Yonhap News Agency, on April 29, Assemblyman Seo Beomsoo of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee, received data from the National Police Agency showing that in 2025, a total of 6,795 children were reported as suspected victims of child abuse two or more times.
By number of repeated reports, the highest was children reported twice at 4,362, followed by those reported three times at 1,306, and four times at 490. While the number of children decreased as the number of reports increased, there were still 114 children who were reported more than ten times.
Since January 2025, the police have overhauled the Abusive Prevention Officer (APO) system, and now count repeated reports based on the 'victim child' instead of the 'reporter number' as was previously done.
Reports of suspected child abuse are jointly handled by the police and local governments after being filed. Depending on the results of the on-site investigation, emergency measures such as immediate separation, temporary protection, or restraining orders may be taken.
Reports Increase but Abuse Determinations Decrease... Non-Prosecution on the Rise
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, in 2024, there were 50,242 child abuse reports, an increase of 1,720 cases (3.5%) compared to the previous year. However, of these, only 24,492 cases were determined to be child abuse after investigation, marking a decrease of 1,247 cases (4.8%) from 2023.
The number of non-prosecution decisions against child abuse perpetrators continues to rise: from 1,233 cases in 2021, to 1,735 in 2022, 2,399 in 2023, and 2,854 last year.