Increase in Unregistered Infant Deaths in South Korea: 23 Lives Lost
New Developments in Investigation of Unregistered Babies in South Korea
According to recent news from the Yonhap agency, there have been significant developments in the ongoing investigation regarding unregistered babies in South Korea. The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) has reported that they have received 664 notifications concerning unregistered babies nationwide. As a result of their investigation, the number of babies not registered in official records has risen from 400 to 598.
In a statement released by the KNPA, it was also revealed that the number of deceased babies has increased from 15 to 23. This investigation was initiated in June after a woman in Suwon city confessed to keeping two babies she had killed in 2018 and 2019 in her freezer.
Moreover, the South Korean Board of Supervision and Inspection disclosed that there are a total of 2,236 babies born between 2015 and 2022 who were hospitalized but not officially registered in the country. Out of these babies, 1,263 were from the capital city of Seoul and its surrounding areas. The board is now planning to conduct an investigation to determine the well-being and status of these unregistered babies.
It is worth noting that, according to South Korean law, healthcare institutions are not obligated to report newborn babies to government agencies. Instead, parents are responsible for registering their children within one month of birth. Failure to do so results in relatively low fines that do not seem to be effective deterrents.
Further updates on this investigation will be provided as more information becomes available. The authorities are expected to take necessary measures to address this alarming situation and ensure the proper registration and protection of all babies born in South Korea.
