“Jung-in’s case, what can I say?”

“Jung-in’s case, what can I say?”

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“What can I say… .”
Amidst the police’s accountability for the’Jung In-i’ case, who died of child abuse, Lee Hwa-seop, head of Yangcheon Police Station in Seoul, expressed a mixed feeling. In a phone call with a reporter on the night of the 4th, Lee said, “It is a system that does not receive reports, but it is not that I am not responsible for it.” Lee, who was appointed as a police officer in 1990 from the 6th National Police Department, was appointed as the Yangcheon Police Chief in January of last year after taking major positions such as the Innovation Planning Coordination Officer of the National Police Agency and the TF Team Leader for the Promotion of Police Reform. The following are the main questions and answers with this chief.

[청와대 청원 캡쳐]

[청와대 청원 캡쳐]

“There was no instruction to report to the chief… but I am also responsible for it”

The criticism that the case was put together continues.
There are four investigation teams related to women and adolescents, and each time different teams have been reported. The system improved as a result of this incident. Prior to that, that happened when I received dividends in the order they were received. Because there was no clear instructions, the on-call teams received the case on the day of each report. This was also improved in November of last year. (※ Last November, the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the’Standards for Emergency Measures for Children Victims of Child Abuse.’ A wound was found on the body of a child who received reports of abuse more than once. If so, a child abuse official can be dispatched to take emergency separation measures for 72 hours.)
Although there were some disciplines, the memorial of’I’m sorry Jung In-ah’ continues, and the responsibilities of Yangcheon-si continue.
What can I say about it

The chief is not disciplined and there is a voice that he should be held accountable.
If you look at the guidelines before the change, there are cases to be reported to the chief and cases not to be reported. It is true that there was no instruction that the previous three cases should be reported clearly to the chief. That’s also the reason I didn’t get a report. It changed through this case.

Some point out that the past work experience in the core department of the National Police Agency influenced the inspection.
It is completely unfounded. Before In-yang Jung died in October, there was no internal report of the incident. There was no clear instruction to report to the chief in the procedure. Of course, it is the hard part to say that the results would have been different if I knew it. However, it does not mean that I am not responsible. Overall, I think it’s my responsibility.

The police also have the right to terminate the investigation. This incident raised concerns about this.
This year is the’first year of responsible investigation’ for the police. It is completely handled by the police with the right to terminate. This is not a problem of the right to terminate, but rather a problem that is intertwined with an institutional problem. With this incident, some institutional deficiencies have been substantially compensated. What is lacking is that the police should continue to take responsibility.

On the 3rd, the server crashed after a request for severe punishment by the police officer in charge of the '16 months adopted child death case' was poured into the Yangcheon Police Station. [양천경찰서 홈페이지 캡처]

On the 3rd, the server crashed after a request for severe punishment by the police officer in charge of the ’16 months adopted child death case’ was poured into the Yangcheon Police Station. [양천경찰서 홈페이지 캡처]

Public opinion about Lee and the police is cold. The Cheong Wa Dae petition for’Destroy the Yangcheon Police Chief and the police officer in charge’, which was posted on the 3rd, exceeded 170,000 on the 5th.

“Would it be different if I saw it and went up”

“It is difficult for the chief to receive all reports due to command responsibility, but it cannot be said that he is not responsible for the individual. Ultimately, it is a system problem,” said Hong-seok Yang (Ligong Law Firm), who served as the head of the Public Interest Law Center of the Participation Association. “How to reestablish the relationship between children and abusers, the reality is that there is a lack of education, inspection, and surveillance systems for abusers.”

Attorney Kim Young-joo (directed by law firm), who served as the head of the Department of Women and Children’s Rights in the Ministry of Justice, said, “I wonder if the results would have been different if the report was posted to the chief,” and pointed out that “the site and the police organization need human rights sensitivity and child abuse sensitivity.” Attorney Kim said, “Not only do we need to talk about strengthening manpower, authority, and budget, but we have to talk specifically about what it means. In the police, children-related work is considered to be an underprivileged department, only hardship, and no promotion advantage. Organization diagnosis within the police It is necessary to make efforts to improve the system to prioritize children’s issues through the program.”

National Police Agency headquarters. [연합뉴스]

National Police Agency headquarters. [연합뉴스]

Alternatives for child protection should be presented along with the adjustment of investigation rights

The two lawyers explained that the problem of the system that makes it difficult for a child abused to file an objection after the adjustment of the investigative right should be supplemented. Attorney Kim said, “It is difficult for a child who has been abused to file an objection after the investigation is over. Even if there is a child protection agency, it is impossible to take care of the investigation and trial. It would be possible, but realistically difficult.” He added, “In the past, there was a possibility that the prosecutor could see it once more. If it was said that investigative rights were adjusted for the protection of human rights, there should be an alternative to protect the vulnerable, such as children who cannot raise a problem in the procedure.”

Both lawyers also said, “The victim must have the ability to explain the damage, otherwise a special representative must be appointed, but there is currently no legal response and support system.” It has not been supplemented yet because it has been pushed to the subordinate position in the company.”

Reporter of Women’s Bureau [email protected]


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