Dad is identified only as WON-YOUNG. This article actually acknowledges that this boy had a mother who was denied contact. But it is light on the details as to who in authority allowed this father to have custody, and refuses to link the problem of abusive fathers getting custody with crimes like this one.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160313000184
Father, stepmother tried to cover up brutal abuse of 7-year-old
Published : 2016-03-13 15:34
Updated : 2016-03-13 17:33
The body of a 7-year-old boy, which police were searching for since last week, was discovered buried at a mountain in Cheongbuk, Gyeonggi Province, on Saturday.
He was allegedly killed from months of abuse and confinement by his father and stepmother.
The father and stepmother of Shin Won-young reportedly confessed to police on Friday that they had hid the body of the boy for 10 days before burying him in the mountain on Feb. 12.
The 38-year-old stepmother identified as Kim reportedly confessed to locking Won-young up in a bathroom since November last year, feeding him only once a day and repeatedly abusing him such as by pouring icy water or chlorine bleach on him.
The preliminary autopsy by the National Forensic Service on Saturday showed the boy had suffered from starvation, multiple hypodermal bleeding and hypothermia, among other things.
Won-young’s death is the fourth high-profile case of brutal child abuse discovered this year. Search for the boy was initiated as part of the intensified nationwide survey on children who have not been admitted to school in time or have been absent for a long time.
Won-young’s biological father, identified only by his surname, admitted to finding Won-young dead on Feb. 2, a day after he allegedly suffered another round of beating by his stepmother.
The couple testified that they had wrapped the body of the boy and kept him hidden at their veranda at home before moving and burying the body some 5-meters away from the gravesite of the man’s father.
The couple had given mixed testimonies of their whereabouts. Credit card records had placed them near the mountain, before they confessed.
The police excavated the body of the boy early Saturday morning.
The police are planning to charge both with murder. They said Shin had admitted to having known about the abuse by his new wife but that he had been afraid of facing punishment.
The couple had also allegedly attempted to cover up their crime by sending each other text messages after Won-young’s death.
One of the messages sent by Shin to Kim read, “Won-young is doing ok right?,” to which Kim responded, “He ate well and even brushed his teeth.” The messages were exchanged on Feb. 3, the day after Won-young’s body was found in the bathroom.
Since being arrested earlier last week, they have also given mixed testimonies including how they left Won-young on a street, resulting in hundreds of members of the police force and various equipment, such as drones, being mobilized in search of the missing child.
The funeral of Won-young was carried out on Sunday and it was reportedly attended by his birthmother, who had divorced Shin some three years ago with limited visitation rights to her son. The mother had reportedly lost contact with Won-young and his sister, who has also been living with the father and the stepmother since August, 2014.
Controversy persists over the legal and systematic loopholes in protecting children from abuse, especially from their parents, as such acts by them are considered easier to hide.
Reports said that while there was evidence since 2013, such as pictures of Won-young’s beaten-up legs taken by a child protection agency, neither his father nor his stepmother had been questioned by the police. At the time, there were no regulations that required police to accompany counselors in suspected cases of child abuse.
The officials attempted to move Won-young to a child protection facility in 2014 but this was refused by his father. There were no legal grounds to force the separation.
Special laws were enacted in 2014, bestowing greater authority to the police and counselors at child protection organizations to investigate child abuses cases. Additional revisions to relevant laws have been made this year to better protect children but experts have pointed to a need for more fundamental changes, such as in the areas of social perception toward abuse by parents and chronic insufficiencies in budget and the workforce at child protection agencies. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)
Showing posts with label Korea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Korea. Show all posts
Monday, March 14, 2016
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Custodial dad, step suspected of murder after 14-year-old daughter's skeleton corpse found; what happened to mom? (Korea)
UNNAMED DAD. Not a word on what happened to her mother or how dad got custody.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160203001045
Father suspected in death of girl found as skeleton corpse
Published : 2016-02-03 16:15 Updated : 2016-02-03 17:33
The skeleton corpse of a 14-year-old girl was found Wednesday in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The prime suspect is her father, with her stepmother as a possible abetting aide, police said.
The Bucheon police discovered the blanket-covered body that had been left unattended in the house for almost a year, officials said. The middle school student had been missing since March last year.
The victim’s 47-year-old father and 40-year-old stepmother were arrested on charges of accidental homicide. The father, a protestant minister, is also a professor at a local theological university.
“I found her dead in the morning, after I had scolded her the previous night, so I covered the body with a blanket and sprayed air freshener to prevent the decaying smell,” the police quoted the suspect as saying.
Authorities suspect that he had beaten his daughter to death during a quarrel.
The government has been stepping up its survey of children who have been absent from school for extended periods as an overall checkup against child abuse. The fortified surveillance was prompted by a series of high-profile child abuse cases last month, including a father who was arrested after the dismembered and frozen body of his young son was found at the home of his acquaintance. The father has admitted to having repeatedly abused the boy leading to his death.
By Bae Hyun-jung (khnews@heraldcorp.com)
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20160203001045
Father suspected in death of girl found as skeleton corpse
Published : 2016-02-03 16:15 Updated : 2016-02-03 17:33
The skeleton corpse of a 14-year-old girl was found Wednesday in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The prime suspect is her father, with her stepmother as a possible abetting aide, police said.
The Bucheon police discovered the blanket-covered body that had been left unattended in the house for almost a year, officials said. The middle school student had been missing since March last year.
The victim’s 47-year-old father and 40-year-old stepmother were arrested on charges of accidental homicide. The father, a protestant minister, is also a professor at a local theological university.
“I found her dead in the morning, after I had scolded her the previous night, so I covered the body with a blanket and sprayed air freshener to prevent the decaying smell,” the police quoted the suspect as saying.
Authorities suspect that he had beaten his daughter to death during a quarrel.
The government has been stepping up its survey of children who have been absent from school for extended periods as an overall checkup against child abuse. The fortified surveillance was prompted by a series of high-profile child abuse cases last month, including a father who was arrested after the dismembered and frozen body of his young son was found at the home of his acquaintance. The father has admitted to having repeatedly abused the boy leading to his death.
By Bae Hyun-jung (khnews@heraldcorp.com)
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Prosecutors seek to deprive abusive custodial father of parental rights (Seoul, Korea)
A very typical crime story, in that the father's obvious custodial status is not explicitly identified. Nor is it ever explained how this girl's mother got eliminated from the picture. Given that this father was consistently violent and physically abusive, the odds are very high that the mother got the same treatment. Notice that Dad had complete "ownership" of this child even though he admits that he didn't want her. Very typical power/control impulse found in abusers.
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/01/116_195162.html
Prosecutors seek to deprive abusive father of parental rights
By Chung Ah-young
Prosecutors said Monday that they asked a court to terminate the parental rights of a father who allegedly abused his daughter for more than three years.
The prosecution has indicted the 32-year-old father and two accomplices ― his girlfriend and another friend ― on charges of child abuse and demanded the court strip him of his parental rights. They allegedly confined the 11-year-old girl at home in Incheon and a motel in Seoul for three years and four months since 2012.
They habitually beat the girl, breaking her ribs, and didn't provide enough food for her.
Prosecutors said that he and his girlfriend habitually beat his daughter.
The abuse was brought to light after the girl escaped from home on Dec. 12. She tried to steal bread at a nearby supermarket but the owner caught her. Seeing that she was barefoot and wearing just shorts and a T-shirt, he called the police.
The father told police that he abused her because he doesn't like her.
Early in the investigation, police found that they had been abusing her since moving to Incheon from Bucheon in 2013. But prosecutors discovered additional evidence that she has been mistreated since 2012.
"We confirmed that she had been abused even before 2013 when they lived in Seoul," a prosecutor said.
Right after the incident in December, the Incheon District Court temporarily suspended the father's parental rights and designated an official at a child protection center as her guardian.
The relevant law requires prosecutors to ask the court for termination of parental rights when parents' abuse causes serious injuries to children or they habitually beat them for an extended period.
The law was enacted in 2014 following a case where a seven-year-old girl in Ulsan died after her stepmother beat her for about an hour in 2013.
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/01/116_195162.html
Prosecutors seek to deprive abusive father of parental rights
By Chung Ah-young
Prosecutors said Monday that they asked a court to terminate the parental rights of a father who allegedly abused his daughter for more than three years.
The prosecution has indicted the 32-year-old father and two accomplices ― his girlfriend and another friend ― on charges of child abuse and demanded the court strip him of his parental rights. They allegedly confined the 11-year-old girl at home in Incheon and a motel in Seoul for three years and four months since 2012.
They habitually beat the girl, breaking her ribs, and didn't provide enough food for her.
Prosecutors said that he and his girlfriend habitually beat his daughter.
The abuse was brought to light after the girl escaped from home on Dec. 12. She tried to steal bread at a nearby supermarket but the owner caught her. Seeing that she was barefoot and wearing just shorts and a T-shirt, he called the police.
The father told police that he abused her because he doesn't like her.
Early in the investigation, police found that they had been abusing her since moving to Incheon from Bucheon in 2013. But prosecutors discovered additional evidence that she has been mistreated since 2012.
"We confirmed that she had been abused even before 2013 when they lived in Seoul," a prosecutor said.
Right after the incident in December, the Incheon District Court temporarily suspended the father's parental rights and designated an official at a child protection center as her guardian.
The relevant law requires prosecutors to ask the court for termination of parental rights when parents' abuse causes serious injuries to children or they habitually beat them for an extended period.
The law was enacted in 2014 following a case where a seven-year-old girl in Ulsan died after her stepmother beat her for about an hour in 2013.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Custodial dad arrested for abusing, starving 11-year-old daughter for two years; what happened to mom? (Korea)
This particular instance of child abuse by a custodial father took place in Korea, but the media obfuscations appear nearly everywhere.
Notice how the mother just suddenly "disappears" eight years ago. What happened to her? Nobody even bothers to ask. Given that Daddy kept this girl a virtual prisoner and beat her badly enough to cause rib fractures, isn't it even remotely possible he dished out similar treatment to Mom? (In reality, it's more than "remotely possible." It's statistically very likely.) So is she dead or "missing" under mysterious circumstances? Did this POS pull legal manoevers to force the mother out? This is in fact a very likely thing for a batterer to do, and they are remarkably successful at it.
Once again, the circumstances that put this child in harm's way--i.e. in the full custody of a violent dad--are erased. No one is held responsible.
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/12/116_193613.html
Father arrested for abusing, starving daughter for 2 years
By Kim Se-jeong
Police, supervised by the prosecution, have arrested a man for abusing and starving his 11-year-old daughter for two years.
According to the Incheon Yeonsu Police, Sunday, they arrested the 32-year-old father on charges of child abuse. His live-in girlfriend and another friend were also charged with the same offense and arrested.
They allegedly confined the girl at home and did not provide enough food from 2013.
The unemployed father was a computer game addict and did not let her go to school. She told police that her father played computer games all day long except for when he ate and slept.
The abuse was brought to light after the girl fled home on Dec. 12 by climbing down pipes from her room on the second floor.
She tried to steal bread at a nearby supermarket but the owner caught her. Seeing that she was barefoot and wearing just shorts and a tee-shirt, he called the police.
The police took her to a hospital where she was found to have fractured ribs and bruises on her legs and arms. She said the father hit her with his fists, feet and sometimes steel pipes. She has since been hospitalized for treatment.
The girl said she often had to endure a week without any food but couldn't imagine running away as she feared her father.
When police found the girl, she was 120 centimeters tall but weighed only 16 kilograms, the standard weight for a four-year-old child.
The father was separated from the daughter's biological mother eight years ago, and was living off his girlfriend's paycheck. He admitted that he beat the girl, but claimed it was for discipline.
After treatment, police will send the girl to a counseling center.
Notice how the mother just suddenly "disappears" eight years ago. What happened to her? Nobody even bothers to ask. Given that Daddy kept this girl a virtual prisoner and beat her badly enough to cause rib fractures, isn't it even remotely possible he dished out similar treatment to Mom? (In reality, it's more than "remotely possible." It's statistically very likely.) So is she dead or "missing" under mysterious circumstances? Did this POS pull legal manoevers to force the mother out? This is in fact a very likely thing for a batterer to do, and they are remarkably successful at it.
Once again, the circumstances that put this child in harm's way--i.e. in the full custody of a violent dad--are erased. No one is held responsible.
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/12/116_193613.html
Father arrested for abusing, starving daughter for 2 years
By Kim Se-jeong
Police, supervised by the prosecution, have arrested a man for abusing and starving his 11-year-old daughter for two years.
According to the Incheon Yeonsu Police, Sunday, they arrested the 32-year-old father on charges of child abuse. His live-in girlfriend and another friend were also charged with the same offense and arrested.
They allegedly confined the girl at home and did not provide enough food from 2013.
The unemployed father was a computer game addict and did not let her go to school. She told police that her father played computer games all day long except for when he ate and slept.
The abuse was brought to light after the girl fled home on Dec. 12 by climbing down pipes from her room on the second floor.
She tried to steal bread at a nearby supermarket but the owner caught her. Seeing that she was barefoot and wearing just shorts and a tee-shirt, he called the police.
The police took her to a hospital where she was found to have fractured ribs and bruises on her legs and arms. She said the father hit her with his fists, feet and sometimes steel pipes. She has since been hospitalized for treatment.
The girl said she often had to endure a week without any food but couldn't imagine running away as she feared her father.
When police found the girl, she was 120 centimeters tall but weighed only 16 kilograms, the standard weight for a four-year-old child.
The father was separated from the daughter's biological mother eight years ago, and was living off his girlfriend's paycheck. He admitted that he beat the girl, but claimed it was for discipline.
After treatment, police will send the girl to a counseling center.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Adoptive dad and NSA official charged with murdering 3-year-old son (Damascus, Maryland)
Americans who adopt kids from Russia already have a terrible reputation.
Now we find out that dad BRIAN PATRICK O'GALLIGHAN was some high muckety muck in the National Security Administration. So you know this dude had all kinds of access and pull when it came to the adoption of a Korean child.
But when it comes right down to it, he was no better than some meth head from Kentucky. All kinds of BS and lies about an accident, while still admitting he hadn't really "bonded "with the child. Then he doesn't even bother to take the boy to the hospital for hours after the "incident." Just like you'd expect from some sort of trailer trash, but this particular sh**head is supposedly some well-educated professional. In reality, he's just another short-tempered father who killed a child.
http://www.csnwashington.com/article/md-dad-nsa-official-charged-adopted-sons-death
Md. Dad, an NSA Official, Charged in Adopted Son's Death
February 19, 2014, 5:54 am
A Maryland man has been charged with the murder of his adopted 3-year-old son, Montgomery County police said Tuesday.
Brian Patrick O'Callaghan, 36, of Damascus has been charged with first degree murder and child abuse.
In court, O'Callaghan's lawyer said the suspect worked for the National Security Agency as chief of its Korea division; the boy had been adopted from Korea in October.
Police say O'Callaghan told investigators he was caring for 3-year-old Hyunsu for two days while his mother was away, adding he hadn't bonded much with his new son. O'Callaghan said he helped give Hyunsu a shower Jan. 31, during which he said the 3-year-old had slipped in the bathtub, falling backward and hitting his shoulder.
O'Callaghan told police the next afternoon, Hyunsu was unresponsive following a nap and had mucus coming from his nose. O'Callaghan said he took Hyusnu to a Germantown emergency room several hours later, where he was deemed to be in critical condition, possibly brain dead.
Hyunsu was pronounced dead two days later. Investigators say he had impact trauma on his body, as well as internal bleeding.
O'Callaghan was arrested Feb. 16 and is being held without bond.
At his hearing Tuesday, O'Callaghan's attorney also said O'Callaghan was a Marine veteran who had been involved in the rescue of Army POW Jessica Lynch. O'Callaghan served in the Marine Corps from 1997 through 2004 as sergeant.
According to his service record, O'Callaghan was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for nine months in 2003 and served in Al-Wasit Province, An Nasiriyah and Al Kut. During the An Nasiriyah deployment, O'Callaghan worked with the Civil Affairs Group -- he was tasked with keeping civilians away from battle.
His awards include: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "V," Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with 1 star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 star and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
An obituary posted on the web site of the Frederick News-Post gave the child's full name as Madoc Hyeonsu O'Callaghan and said he was born in South Korea. He was described in the obituary as a "smiling, content, and loving son and brother.''
"He loved his dogs, his big brother Aidan, and anything his parents made for him to eat. He wasn't dealt the simplest hand in life, but he found something to love in it every day,'' the obituary said.
Now we find out that dad BRIAN PATRICK O'GALLIGHAN was some high muckety muck in the National Security Administration. So you know this dude had all kinds of access and pull when it came to the adoption of a Korean child.
But when it comes right down to it, he was no better than some meth head from Kentucky. All kinds of BS and lies about an accident, while still admitting he hadn't really "bonded "with the child. Then he doesn't even bother to take the boy to the hospital for hours after the "incident." Just like you'd expect from some sort of trailer trash, but this particular sh**head is supposedly some well-educated professional. In reality, he's just another short-tempered father who killed a child.
http://www.csnwashington.com/article/md-dad-nsa-official-charged-adopted-sons-death
Md. Dad, an NSA Official, Charged in Adopted Son's Death
February 19, 2014, 5:54 am
A Maryland man has been charged with the murder of his adopted 3-year-old son, Montgomery County police said Tuesday.
Brian Patrick O'Callaghan, 36, of Damascus has been charged with first degree murder and child abuse.
In court, O'Callaghan's lawyer said the suspect worked for the National Security Agency as chief of its Korea division; the boy had been adopted from Korea in October.
Police say O'Callaghan told investigators he was caring for 3-year-old Hyunsu for two days while his mother was away, adding he hadn't bonded much with his new son. O'Callaghan said he helped give Hyunsu a shower Jan. 31, during which he said the 3-year-old had slipped in the bathtub, falling backward and hitting his shoulder.
O'Callaghan told police the next afternoon, Hyunsu was unresponsive following a nap and had mucus coming from his nose. O'Callaghan said he took Hyusnu to a Germantown emergency room several hours later, where he was deemed to be in critical condition, possibly brain dead.
Hyunsu was pronounced dead two days later. Investigators say he had impact trauma on his body, as well as internal bleeding.
O'Callaghan was arrested Feb. 16 and is being held without bond.
At his hearing Tuesday, O'Callaghan's attorney also said O'Callaghan was a Marine veteran who had been involved in the rescue of Army POW Jessica Lynch. O'Callaghan served in the Marine Corps from 1997 through 2004 as sergeant.
According to his service record, O'Callaghan was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for nine months in 2003 and served in Al-Wasit Province, An Nasiriyah and Al Kut. During the An Nasiriyah deployment, O'Callaghan worked with the Civil Affairs Group -- he was tasked with keeping civilians away from battle.
His awards include: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "V," Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with 1 star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 star and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
An obituary posted on the web site of the Frederick News-Post gave the child's full name as Madoc Hyeonsu O'Callaghan and said he was born in South Korea. He was described in the obituary as a "smiling, content, and loving son and brother.''
"He loved his dogs, his big brother Aidan, and anything his parents made for him to eat. He wasn't dealt the simplest hand in life, but he found something to love in it every day,'' the obituary said.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Custodial dad jailed for two years for repeatedly beating 13-year-old daughter (Gwangju, Korea)
Doesn't matter what country or culture you're in. The stories are pretty much the same.
Dad--identified only as KIM--was obviously an abuser from the beginning. He battered his wife, and yet--as we see in nearly every country--HE GOT CUSTODY ANYWAY. So of course, this sh** then starts beating his daughter. REPEATEDLY. The daughter reports Daddy to CPS. THREE TIMES. NOTHING HAPPENS. There are threats to kill her, to traffic her sexually.
Finally, Daddy is caught by a witness. Because we never believe the mother or children alone, do we. And finally, Mom has custody again. Of a no doubt severely traumatized child.
This could be Kalamazoo or Kansas City. In this case, it's Korea. Same difference.
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/558747.html
Abusive father sentenced to prison
Posted on : Nov.2,2012 15:56 KST
In ruling, Judge considers potential long-term effects of abuse on children
By Jung Dae-ha, Gwangju correspondent
“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself… Though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.”
Judge Lee Tan-hee of the Gwangju District Criminal Court quoted these lines from the 1923 book “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) in sentencing a father to two years in prison for beatings and injuries to his 13-year-old daughter.
The father, a man in his forties identified by the surname Kim, had been raising the child by himself since a divorce.
Lee recommended the book to Kim because of concerns about the emotional scarring on his two children. In its ruling, the court said the “loss of autonomous problem-solving capabilities must be sternly punished, if only to protect the children.” T
he court also recognized the possibility that “rage will take root deep in the hearts of the abused children and, if left alone, could lead to larger crimes.”
Kim had been living with his daughter and son since a November 2008 divorce. The father, who had received a summary order for a fine after twice being indicted for violence against his now ex-wife, began subjecting his daughter to abusive treatment.
He was indicted for abuse and injury after inflicting violence on at least fourteen occasions through the first half of 2011, including a March 2011 incident when he beat her at a Gwangju apartment. He continued the abuse after his daughter’s leg was put in a cast following a traffic accident. In the process, he broke a glass bottle on the living room floor and pushed her over, resulting in glass shards becoming embedded in her foot.
Kim was also found to have used abusive and menacing language. On one occasion, he threatened her with a knife and said, “Let’s both die together.” On others, he told her she should “become a bar girl” and “meet some guy and use your body.”
Kim’s daughter made three separate reports to child protection services and notified her school and the police. But they failed to follow through after the father adamantly protested and lied that he had never used abusive language.
Another opportunity to report the abuse to police came in June 2011 when Kim’s daughter attempted to run away from home to escape the abuse and happened to be witnessed by a counselor, who helped her contact them.
After the incident, the mother successfully sued the father for changes to custody and parental rights. Since then, she and the daughter have been living in Seoul.
Dad--identified only as KIM--was obviously an abuser from the beginning. He battered his wife, and yet--as we see in nearly every country--HE GOT CUSTODY ANYWAY. So of course, this sh** then starts beating his daughter. REPEATEDLY. The daughter reports Daddy to CPS. THREE TIMES. NOTHING HAPPENS. There are threats to kill her, to traffic her sexually.
Finally, Daddy is caught by a witness. Because we never believe the mother or children alone, do we. And finally, Mom has custody again. Of a no doubt severely traumatized child.
This could be Kalamazoo or Kansas City. In this case, it's Korea. Same difference.
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/558747.html
Abusive father sentenced to prison
Posted on : Nov.2,2012 15:56 KST
In ruling, Judge considers potential long-term effects of abuse on children
By Jung Dae-ha, Gwangju correspondent
“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself… Though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.”
Judge Lee Tan-hee of the Gwangju District Criminal Court quoted these lines from the 1923 book “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) in sentencing a father to two years in prison for beatings and injuries to his 13-year-old daughter.
The father, a man in his forties identified by the surname Kim, had been raising the child by himself since a divorce.
Lee recommended the book to Kim because of concerns about the emotional scarring on his two children. In its ruling, the court said the “loss of autonomous problem-solving capabilities must be sternly punished, if only to protect the children.” T
he court also recognized the possibility that “rage will take root deep in the hearts of the abused children and, if left alone, could lead to larger crimes.”
Kim had been living with his daughter and son since a November 2008 divorce. The father, who had received a summary order for a fine after twice being indicted for violence against his now ex-wife, began subjecting his daughter to abusive treatment.
He was indicted for abuse and injury after inflicting violence on at least fourteen occasions through the first half of 2011, including a March 2011 incident when he beat her at a Gwangju apartment. He continued the abuse after his daughter’s leg was put in a cast following a traffic accident. In the process, he broke a glass bottle on the living room floor and pushed her over, resulting in glass shards becoming embedded in her foot.
Kim was also found to have used abusive and menacing language. On one occasion, he threatened her with a knife and said, “Let’s both die together.” On others, he told her she should “become a bar girl” and “meet some guy and use your body.”
Kim’s daughter made three separate reports to child protection services and notified her school and the police. But they failed to follow through after the father adamantly protested and lied that he had never used abusive language.
Another opportunity to report the abuse to police came in June 2011 when Kim’s daughter attempted to run away from home to escape the abuse and happened to be witnessed by a counselor, who helped her contact them.
After the incident, the mother successfully sued the father for changes to custody and parental rights. Since then, she and the daughter have been living in Seoul.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Children unprotected from domestic violence (Seoul, Korea)
This dad--who is only identified by the last name KIM--beat his 3-year-old son to death, presumably because he wasn't sure the child was "his."
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/113_81191.html
02-10-2011 19:35
Children unprotected from domestic violence
By Kim Tae-jong
A cruel father’s beating of his three-year-old son to death has underscored the lack of protection of child welfare. It has led to public calls to institute tougher rules and a better system against growing domestic violence.
The boy, identified by his surname Kim, was allegedly beaten to death by his father on Dec. 16, and abandoned at a nearby construction site in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
“The life of the child could’ve been saved if there had been an immediate report of the domestic abuse to the authorities or protective service organizations,” said Lee Ji-mi, manager at the National Child Protection Agency (NCPA). “Neighbors and other caregivers should also pay greater attention to prevent such tragic accidents.”
The 33-year-old father repeatedly beat his son because he believed the boy was not his biological child, according to Gwangjin Police Station.
The police discovered that the neighbors and even kindergarten teachers had long been aware of the domestic abuse. But nobody had taken any action.
“Neighbors and kindergarten teachers said they suspected the boy was being assaulted by his parents, after seeing bruises on his body, but no one once reported it to the authorities,” a police officer said.
Without proper protection and care, the boy suffered from severe maltreatment.
“The boy cried often, shouting, ‘Help me!’ He cried desperately late at night for hours,” a woman in her 30s living next door to the Kim’s was quoted as saying by the police officer. Due to continuous complaints from neighbors about the boy crying at night, the family moved twice to different houses before the boy was killed, the police officer added.
Child protection law
A stricter Child Welfare Law was enacted in 2004 to prevent child abuse, but the number of cases has not decreased. According to the NCPA, over 5,000 child abuse cases are reported annually.
The number is probably much higher as many incidents go unreported. About 80 percent of reported child abuse occurs at home.
Under current laws, doctors, kindergarten teachers and other caregivers are subject to legal action if they fail to report suspected child abuse to the authorities.
“The problem is, domestic abuse is hard to uncover,” Lee at the NCPA said. “Neighbors and caregivers are reluctant to get involved in domestic issues, because people think childrearing and disciplinary action is up to the parents in Korean culture.”
Although there are demands for severe punishment for parents charged with domestic abuse, such action could also lead to further problems if the family unit breaks up.
“We take steps to isolate a child from his or her parents or find another home if necessary. But what we’re trying to do is to help parents provide the necessary care to their children in a proper manner. Family dissolution can also be traumatic for a child,” Lee said.
She also said people should be more aware of other kinds of child abuse along with physical and sexual maltreatment.
Child abuse also refers to the emotional mistreatment and neglect of children, which actually accounts for the largest number of child abuse cases but are not easily detected, experts said.
e3dward@koreatimes.co.kr
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/113_81191.html
02-10-2011 19:35
Children unprotected from domestic violence
By Kim Tae-jong
A cruel father’s beating of his three-year-old son to death has underscored the lack of protection of child welfare. It has led to public calls to institute tougher rules and a better system against growing domestic violence.
The boy, identified by his surname Kim, was allegedly beaten to death by his father on Dec. 16, and abandoned at a nearby construction site in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
“The life of the child could’ve been saved if there had been an immediate report of the domestic abuse to the authorities or protective service organizations,” said Lee Ji-mi, manager at the National Child Protection Agency (NCPA). “Neighbors and other caregivers should also pay greater attention to prevent such tragic accidents.”
The 33-year-old father repeatedly beat his son because he believed the boy was not his biological child, according to Gwangjin Police Station.
The police discovered that the neighbors and even kindergarten teachers had long been aware of the domestic abuse. But nobody had taken any action.
“Neighbors and kindergarten teachers said they suspected the boy was being assaulted by his parents, after seeing bruises on his body, but no one once reported it to the authorities,” a police officer said.
Without proper protection and care, the boy suffered from severe maltreatment.
“The boy cried often, shouting, ‘Help me!’ He cried desperately late at night for hours,” a woman in her 30s living next door to the Kim’s was quoted as saying by the police officer. Due to continuous complaints from neighbors about the boy crying at night, the family moved twice to different houses before the boy was killed, the police officer added.
Child protection law
A stricter Child Welfare Law was enacted in 2004 to prevent child abuse, but the number of cases has not decreased. According to the NCPA, over 5,000 child abuse cases are reported annually.
The number is probably much higher as many incidents go unreported. About 80 percent of reported child abuse occurs at home.
Under current laws, doctors, kindergarten teachers and other caregivers are subject to legal action if they fail to report suspected child abuse to the authorities.
“The problem is, domestic abuse is hard to uncover,” Lee at the NCPA said. “Neighbors and caregivers are reluctant to get involved in domestic issues, because people think childrearing and disciplinary action is up to the parents in Korean culture.”
Although there are demands for severe punishment for parents charged with domestic abuse, such action could also lead to further problems if the family unit breaks up.
“We take steps to isolate a child from his or her parents or find another home if necessary. But what we’re trying to do is to help parents provide the necessary care to their children in a proper manner. Family dissolution can also be traumatic for a child,” Lee said.
She also said people should be more aware of other kinds of child abuse along with physical and sexual maltreatment.
Child abuse also refers to the emotional mistreatment and neglect of children, which actually accounts for the largest number of child abuse cases but are not easily detected, experts said.
e3dward@koreatimes.co.kr
Friday, July 2, 2010
Over half of all households experience domestic violence (Korea)
According to a 2007 survey, just over half (50.4%) of all Korean households have experienced domestic violence.
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100701000817
Koreans still struggling to stamp out domestic violence
2010-07-01 17:15
A 35-year-old school teacher recently asked for help from an emergency counseling center, saying her husband, a doctor, had kicked her in the chest even though she was holding their baby.
“It was the first time that my husband has abused me. But I feared that it could be repeated because his father also mistreated family members,” she was quoted as saying by the center.
This is a very typical case of domestic abuse here, experts say.
According to a national survey conducted in 2007, one out of every two households (50.4 percent) suffered domestic violence, which includes physical, mental and financial abuse on spouse, child and elderly members.
“Compared with the U.S. and Europe, the Korean figure is slightly higher. Abusers still don’t regard domestic violence as a crime and many of them are not punished properly,” said Kim Kwon-young, director of women’s welfare support division at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Under the current law, those who injure family members are to face up to 10 years in jail. Because the victims hesitate to punish their family members, however, less than 10 percent of abusers are punished here, Kim said.
Experts emphasize the importance of early response.
In the 2007 survey, those who experienced domestic abuse in their childhood were two-times more likely to abuse their spouses.
Like the case above, experts recommend that the first sign of abuse be dealt with promptly and efforts be made for prevention.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs has decided to take a comprehensive measure for prevention of domestic violence by forming a task force in cooperation with other government offices such as the Justice Ministry.
Even though separate efforts have been made, it is the first time such a pan-government taskforce has been established here, the ministry said.
In order to prevent repeat abuse, the authority of police officers would be strengthened for first time cases. If related regulations are toughened, police officers can isolate abusers or order them not to approach the victims. If the victims agree, the abusers also can be ordered to leave the family or to give up parental rights.
The special team, consisting of government officials, academics and activists, will work as an advisory panel until November when the comprehensive plan is completed.
By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldm.com)
http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100701000817
Koreans still struggling to stamp out domestic violence
2010-07-01 17:15
A 35-year-old school teacher recently asked for help from an emergency counseling center, saying her husband, a doctor, had kicked her in the chest even though she was holding their baby.
“It was the first time that my husband has abused me. But I feared that it could be repeated because his father also mistreated family members,” she was quoted as saying by the center.
This is a very typical case of domestic abuse here, experts say.
According to a national survey conducted in 2007, one out of every two households (50.4 percent) suffered domestic violence, which includes physical, mental and financial abuse on spouse, child and elderly members.
“Compared with the U.S. and Europe, the Korean figure is slightly higher. Abusers still don’t regard domestic violence as a crime and many of them are not punished properly,” said Kim Kwon-young, director of women’s welfare support division at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Under the current law, those who injure family members are to face up to 10 years in jail. Because the victims hesitate to punish their family members, however, less than 10 percent of abusers are punished here, Kim said.
Experts emphasize the importance of early response.
In the 2007 survey, those who experienced domestic abuse in their childhood were two-times more likely to abuse their spouses.
Like the case above, experts recommend that the first sign of abuse be dealt with promptly and efforts be made for prevention.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Affairs has decided to take a comprehensive measure for prevention of domestic violence by forming a task force in cooperation with other government offices such as the Justice Ministry.
Even though separate efforts have been made, it is the first time such a pan-government taskforce has been established here, the ministry said.
In order to prevent repeat abuse, the authority of police officers would be strengthened for first time cases. If related regulations are toughened, police officers can isolate abusers or order them not to approach the victims. If the victims agree, the abusers also can be ordered to leave the family or to give up parental rights.
The special team, consisting of government officials, academics and activists, will work as an advisory panel until November when the comprehensive plan is completed.
By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldm.com)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Court strips rapist dad of his parental rights (Korea)
For the first time, a Korean court has stripped a father of his parental rights for sexually abusing his daughter. In this case, the father--identified only as YOON--lost his rights after reportedly raping and sexually abusing his daughter over several years. Kudos for the Korean authorities who are finally taking child abuse and sexual abuse of children seriously.
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/11/04/200911040033.asp
Court strips rapist father of his parental rights
The prosecution and the court, for the first time, have referred to the adolescent sexual protection law to strip a father of his parental rights for sexually abusing his own daughter.
The Euijeongbu District court on Monday upheld the prosecutor's demand and stripped a 47-year-old father surnamed Yoon of his child custody for repeatedly raping and sexually abusing his daughter over the past years, said court officials.
The court decision is to be confirmed unless Yoon decides to appeal to the appellate court within two weeks from the ruling.
"A parent who has committed such crimes on his own daughter should be regarded as giving up his parental rights and duties," said the presiding judge in the ruling.
Yoon was indicted in September for sexually abusing and raping his daughter repeatedly over the past years.
Prosecutors, apart from the criminal case over his sexual offense charges, requested the court to deprive the man of further abusing his parental status. For his criminal allegations, prosecutors demanded a 15-year jail sentence and five years of wearing a traceable electronic anklet.
The court decision reflected the Korean society's ongoing concerns about the damages caused by sex crimes against minors, coming amid the scandals related to a brutal child rape case which was recently revealed.
Other cases are expected to follow suit as the Supreme Prosecutor's Office recently sent out guidelines to all prosecutors to make full use of their rights to drive out sex offenders from their parental status.
The adolescent sexual protection law, effectuated in 2007, allows the prosecutor to request to take away the custody rights in cases of parental sexual abuse against underage victims.
In the past, prosecutors have referred to the civil law to make such requests, but parents who abused their children were generally handed down a light punishment as the court hesitated to break down the family unit.
(tellme@heraldm.com)
By Bae Hyun-jung
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/11/04/200911040033.asp
Court strips rapist father of his parental rights
The prosecution and the court, for the first time, have referred to the adolescent sexual protection law to strip a father of his parental rights for sexually abusing his own daughter.
The Euijeongbu District court on Monday upheld the prosecutor's demand and stripped a 47-year-old father surnamed Yoon of his child custody for repeatedly raping and sexually abusing his daughter over the past years, said court officials.
The court decision is to be confirmed unless Yoon decides to appeal to the appellate court within two weeks from the ruling.
"A parent who has committed such crimes on his own daughter should be regarded as giving up his parental rights and duties," said the presiding judge in the ruling.
Yoon was indicted in September for sexually abusing and raping his daughter repeatedly over the past years.
Prosecutors, apart from the criminal case over his sexual offense charges, requested the court to deprive the man of further abusing his parental status. For his criminal allegations, prosecutors demanded a 15-year jail sentence and five years of wearing a traceable electronic anklet.
The court decision reflected the Korean society's ongoing concerns about the damages caused by sex crimes against minors, coming amid the scandals related to a brutal child rape case which was recently revealed.
Other cases are expected to follow suit as the Supreme Prosecutor's Office recently sent out guidelines to all prosecutors to make full use of their rights to drive out sex offenders from their parental status.
The adolescent sexual protection law, effectuated in 2007, allows the prosecutor to request to take away the custody rights in cases of parental sexual abuse against underage victims.
In the past, prosecutors have referred to the civil law to make such requests, but parents who abused their children were generally handed down a light punishment as the court hesitated to break down the family unit.
(tellme@heraldm.com)
By Bae Hyun-jung
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