In October last year, in Yeosu City, South Jeolla Province, South Korea, a baby only 133 days old died tragically at the hands of his own parents’ abuse. This case, which challenges the bottom line of human morality with its cruel means of violence and the defendants' subsequent legal manipulation in court, has again driven Korean society to the brink of fury. In response to this heinous murder of a 4-month-old baby, the Korea Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse officially issued a call on March 6th, urging the public to submit a “petition for severe punishment” to demand the law mete out due punishment to these monsters.
In its statement titled “Petition Submission Guide for the Yeosu Child Abuse Case Court,” the Association bluntly states that anyone who has seen related reports or documentaries is deeply shocked. As most child abuse cases occur in the privacy of the family, these atrocities are often hidden behind walls and sometimes downplayed as minor. However, in this case, security cameras installed in the home fully captured the abuse from start to finish, allowing the shocking truth to finally come to light.
The Association issued a heavy plea: Under current sentencing standards, verdicts for such fatal child abuse cases in South Korea are often excessively light, with most offenders receiving less than 10 years in prison. The Association emphasized that the value of an infant’s life must not be so lightly disregarded; the law must draw a clear line against such acts of trampling on life and must not tolerate the downplaying of such violence.
In the legal arena, the defendants’ actions have chilled the public even further. The Association pointed out that the lost baby can no longer seek justice for himself, while the courtroom is filled with the perpetrators’ fake tears and endless lies. Sympathy and regret alone cannot severely punish these demons—it’s necessary for the court to see the real anger of thousands of citizens expressed through the severe punishment petition, to counter those attempting to evade justice.
According to information disclosed by the Association, the abusive couple, surnamed Roh and Jung, have been submitting apology letters to the court on a daily basis, like writing in a diary. Whether this “remorse” shown so frequently is genuine, or just a courtroom performance under the guidance of professional lawyers seeking leniency, is clear to the public.
The tragedy traces back to last October. Under the abuse of this couple, the 4-month-old infant endured unimaginable suffering: the autopsy report showed bruises covering his entire body from head, jaw, to elbows, and an astounding 23 bone fractures throughout. The coroner listed the cause of death as “hemorrhagic shock due to multiple traumas and multiple organ failure,” stating the baby was already dying from repeated trauma even before being drowned.
In the face of ironclad evidence, the birth mother Roh brazenly denied responsibility in court, claiming the bruises were accidentally caused when she “patted the baby’s limbs” while performing CPR after the infant lost consciousness. The father Jung was even more cunning, submitting to police an edited surveillance video in an attempt to disguise the facial injuries as being caused by an accidental fall from the bed.
However, justice was not blinded by doctored lies. The prosecution seized the unedited surveillance footage, which recorded the most horrific details of this “hell on earth.” Amid heavy thuds and the baby’s desperate cries, the footage clearly captured Roh shouting insults such as “Go die,” “We don’t need something like you,” and “Just die,” without any shred of decency.
As the investigation deepened, even more chilling details of abuse were made public. Video evidence showed Roh holding the baby upside down like a puppet, slamming him to the floor like an object, and even stomping on his face while he lay down. On the 28th of last month, SBS TV’s investigative program “Unanswered Questions” fully aired these videos, ripping open the emotional wounds already left by this blood-soaked tragedy.
In November last year, Roh was indicted for child abuse resulting in death, and Jung for incitement to abuse. Facing the charges, the couple showed astounding financial resources and determination to resist. They hired a luxury defense team of 8 lawyers from Korea’s top 10 law firms, and have to date submitted a total of 42 apology letters to the court—31 from Roh and 11 from Jung.
Reportedly, the couple have two sons, with the older son not showing evidence of abuse at present. Previously, Jung applied for bail, citing the need to care for the eldest son. However, prosecutors stood firm, pointing out that local government had promised to actively assist with the child’s upbringing, and therefore requested the court to deny bail.
This case, which touches the very bottom line of human emotion, has its final public sentencing scheduled for March 26, 2026. The petition, signed by the public, is not just for a lost life, but also to reclaim lost justice within the limits of the law.