A man in his 40s who violently beat a 3-month-old child for crying and cheering was caught by the police.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Women and Youth Criminal Investigation Unit said it is investigating a 42-year-old man, Kim Mo, for physical abuse under the Child Welfare Act.
Kim is accused of assaulting his son Kim Mo-kun at his home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, around 5:40 am on the 21st.
In a police investigation, Mr. Kim is said to have admitted to the crime, saying, "The baby was crying and angry, and slapping his palm on his face and chest."
When Kim's condition was bad enough to have severe bruises on his face and chest, Mr. Kim directly reported it to 119, and it was reported that 119 paramedics discovered the abuse and informed the police while being transferred to the hospital.
With consciousness, Kim was taken to the emergency room of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where he is being hospitalized until now.
The police believe that the crime was committed while Kim's mother was away while she was away from her friend's house for a while with her first child.
The Seoul Hyehwa Police Station, which started the investigation, handed over the case to the Seoul Police Agency in accordance with the guidelines for transfer of child abuse cases under the age of 13.
As soon as the investigation is completed, the Yongsan-gu Office is planning to request a case management for children's families to the Mapo Child Protection Agency.
(Photo = Yonhap News)