Gov’t bans parents from beating kids

The government said Thursday that it will remove the right of parents to administer corporal punishment to their children as part of its efforts to enhance the rights of minors.

The move is part of the Moon Jae-in administration’s youth policy, which aims to create an environment in which children can be happy and enjoy themselves, with the government taking on more responsibility to ensure young people live safe, healthy, protected and fulfilling lives.

Under the plan, revision of the country’s civil law will be pushed forward so physical punishment will not be included in disciplinary actions that parents can take against children, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

South Korea is currently one of the few countries that give parents and legal guardians the right to deliver corporal punishment for the purpose of protecting and educating children. There are 54 countries around the world that outright ban the use of corporal punishment on children.

The current law, passed in 1960, has not been revised amid growing calls from such organizations as the United Nations child rights committee to halt such practices.

The ministry also said that hospitals and clinics will be required to report the birth of newborn babies so as to prevent them from being abandoned and mistreated.

In the past, reporting the birth of a child was left to the responsibility of parents.

The ministry said some 500 billion won ($420 million) will be earmarked in the next five years to update the environment of schools so youngsters can play safely.

In regard to health, Seoul will establish a check-up service for young people, with mobile devices used to monitor kids exposed to risks. Such tools can be used to monitor the growth of children and to see whether they are getting plenty of exercise, play time and receiving the right kind of food, according to the ministry.

The government also plans to take steps to reflect the views of children in the formulation of policies and to create a society where their views are more respected, it added.

Yonhap