Korea tightens child protection policy

Following a controversial child abuse case involving a day care worker in Incheon, the ruling Saenuri Party and the government announced a joint plan to protect children’s rights on Friday.

The 33-year-old worker, surnamed Yang, was taken into police custody on Thursday after surveillance video footage was revealed of her harshly beating a 4-year-old for not finishing her food.

“This case is the most shocking incident since the Sewol disaster,” said ruling party leader Kim Moo-sung. “We have to protect children’s safety in order to tackle the country’s low fertility rate as well.”

Together with the Saenuri Party, the Welfare Ministry plans to implement measures to combat child abuse at day care centers, such as making surveillance camera installation mandatory for all children’s institutions, as well as strengthening qualifications for staff.

Any day care center would be immediately shut down should it be caught engaging in abuse, the ministry said. Care providers who have been reported or punished for child abuse will be suspended from their profession for 10 years.

“We will try to implement these measures as soon as possible,” an official from the ministry said.

The police on Friday requested an arrest warrant for Yang on charges of child abuse. Investigators said they would also summon the day care center’s president for questioning.

Parents of four other children also reported Yang’s abuses. The Welfare Ministry on Thursday revoked the licenses of the institution, Yang and its head.

While Yang admitted she had hit the child, as shown in the video, she denied the rest of the charges. She reportedly told the police that she “loves children very much,” and this was the only time she had struck a child.

Under the current child welfare act, Yang could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in jail or fined up to 30 million won ($27,800).

“The head of the center can also be punished if it is found that she was aware of Yang’s abusive behavior and did not take any actions,” said an official from the Welfare Ministry.

The government plans to turn the center into a public day care institution, although most of the parents have already decided to send their children elsewhere.

The Welfare Ministry has also been publicly criticized over the case as the center in Incheon earned 95.3 out of 100 points when assessed by the government.

“I understand this specific case has escalated anxiety among working parents, and as someone who is responsible for the country’s welfare programs I am sorry that this happened,” said Welfare Minister Moon Hyung-pyo on Friday.

“The government will do its best to make sure something like this never happens again.”

In the video footage, Yang tells the child to finish the kimchi she left on her food tray.

When the girl spits it out, Yang slaps her in the face, causing her to fall on her back.

Other children are seen to be kneeling fearfully on the floor together.

According to government data, a total of 6,796 child abuse cases were reported last year. Among them, about 10 percent of all abusers turned out to be day care workers and staff at children’s institutions, while 80 percent were parents.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)