Health ministry convenes Cheonan meeting after suspected child-abuse death

The health ministry said Thursday it held an emergency meeting in Cheonan after a suspected child-abuse death to address gaps in the child-protection system.

First Vice Health Minister Hyeon Su-yeop chaired the meeting at Cheonan City Hall, attended by officials from the education ministry, National Police Agency, South Chungcheong Province, Cheonan City and the South Chungcheong Office of Education.

Officials revisited the response to reports of suspected child abuse, including protection measures such as admission to a child protection facility that were not carried out. The meeting also examined police and judicial procedures, including a rejected police application for a restraining order, and ways to improve coordination.

Participants reviewed the management system for children exempted from compulsory education, including methods for detecting risk signs, information sharing and blind spots in the protective system.

“We are deeply saddened by this death and recognize our grave responsibility,” Hyeon said. “Relevant ministries will work together to consider effective institutional improvements so that high-risk children are not left out of the protection safety net.”