According to the police, Kim gave birth to a baby girl in March 2015. She did not register the birth. Starting in March 2016, Kim left her 1-year-old baby alone at home for 1 to 4 days while she traveled to Jeju Island and other locations with her boyfriends. It's revealed her baby was starved and left alone a total of 9 times over a period of one month. In May, Kim's baby died from severe malnutrition.
SEE ALSO: Foreigners can no longer buy housing in Seoul without residential residency
In the first court trial, the prosecutor requested 6 years in prison and 120 hours of child abuse prevention program for Kim.
Kim tried to defend herself and claimed she was suffering from postpartum depression, alcoholism, and insomnia at the time of her crime.
However, the judge did not accept Kim's claims. The sentence was actually judged to be too light. In the second and final trial, the court added 3 years to her prison term and ruled a total of 9 years in prison for Kim.
The judge stated, "The defendant revealed to have started and maintained a relationship with two boyfriends for 5 months before her daughter's death. It doesn't seem as she lacked decision-making skills" and also said, "She blocked governmental aid by not registering the baby's birth. Shin, who claims to be the baby's father, reached out and said, 'Contact me if you need help' but Kim did not contact him and created the difficulties on her own."
Kim also revealed to have received 3 million KRW (2,805 USD) per month from her boyfriend for living expenses. Therefore, it was judged that Kim did not have financial issues raising the baby. The judge stated, "All responsibility and fault are on the defendant."
SHARE
Log in to comment