The judge commented that ‘A’ didn’t have a criminal record, and expressed deep regret for his actions. Also, since ‘A’ is currently attempting to adopt the girl through proper channels, once the process is complete, there is no need for punishment. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan.21 (Korea Bizwire) – An individual referred to in media reports as ‘A’ (41) and his wife had been longing for a second child for so long.
The reproductively challenged couple were able to conceive their first son miraculously through test tube procedures. They loved their son very much.
The couple wanted to have another child. However, regardless of how hard they tried, they couldn’t seem to get pregnant. They considered adoption but fell into despair because of the complicated procedures and requirements.
Since they wanted a second child so badly, the couple decided to cheat. They thought of registering a newborn baby from another person as their own and raising the infant.
‘A’ contacted an internet errand center. The center introduced them to a single mother who was soon going to give birth to a baby girl, who received three million won in return for giving up her baby.
The single mother gave birth to a daughter in 2013. ‘A’ and his wife took custody of the baby girl, and registered her as their daughter.
The couple spent happy days, but after two years, the birth mother suddenly reported ‘A’ to the police.
As a result, ‘A’ was charged in November 2015 with registering another person’s daughter as his own.
In court, ‘A’ acknowledged his flaws and confessed that he had no idea his actions were illegal. He also plead that he and his wife wanted a second child so badly as a reproductively challenged couple.
‘A’ and his wife also turned in pictures of the girl, and told the judge how much they loved her and cared for her. The baby girl looked happy playing with her brother in the pictures.
The judge announced that the court recognized the couple’s love towards the baby and the efforts they had made to raise the baby girl, imposing a fine of 500,000 won and a suspended sentence.
A suspended sentence is a judgment usually passed for minor crimes, and if the guilty party fails to commit any other offenses for two years after the ruling, the court erases the criminal record.
The judge commented that ‘A’ didn’t have a criminal record, and expressed deep regret for his actions. Also, since ‘A’ is currently attempting to adopt the girl through proper channels, once the process is complete, there is no need for punishment.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
