Yang So-young, a divorce attorney, highlighted the seriousness of unpaid child support.
On the 27th, on KBS1's 'Morning Forum,' Yang So-young appeared as a guest to discuss this issue.
He mentioned one of his meaningful activities as the 'Bad Fathers website defamation case.' He said, "When the broadcast first started in 2007, I provided child support consultations. While presenting public arguments in the Supreme Court, I learned that 90% of child support was unpaid, and as a divorce attorney, I was shocked. I felt indebted knowing that my clients were struggling to live after returning home."
He continued, "In 2018, I heard about the emergence of such a site. Since the photographs of those who defaulted on payments are publicized, it could be considered defamation. Therefore, I had sued the operators who published them for defamation. I approached the operators to offer assistance in public interest litigation. By making this site known, the world became aware of how serious the issue of unpaid child support is. In fact, those who were disclosed immediately began to make child support payments. Good results emerged, and although defamation occurred, many public interest outcomes were achieved."
He also stated, "There were many perspectives that viewed child support as pecuniary claims. However, with the emergence of this site, the Supreme Court acknowledged that child support is a survival right of children. If child support is not received due to a parent's divorce, children are unable to go to the hospital even when they are sick, and they can't study. Therefore, child support should not be viewed merely as pecuniary claims, but as the survival right of children, which marks a change in perspective."
Yang So-young pointed out the reasons for non-payment of child support, stating, "The lingering resentment towards the spouse leads to projecting thoughts that if I provide child support, the spouse will spend it on clothes or leisure. Moreover, the priorities shift to supporting parents, repaying debts, and paying credit card bills, causing child support to be pushed down the list. The survival right of the child should come first; providing child support for the children I brought into the world has to be the priority."
He emphasized, "Within the family court, there is a juvenile court. While handling juvenile cases, I see many children from broken families. How can we tell those children, who do not receive love from their parents, to live well in society and take responsibility? First, we need to create such an environment and then tell those children to fulfill their responsibilities as members of society; this aspect is crucial."
When asked if there are cases where parents refuse to take care of the child, Yang So-young explained, "That is the most heartbreaking situation. Recently, the courts have been trying to delay decisions as much as possible, allowing time before any conclusions are made, with the family court aiming to play a guardian role."
When asked if the cases of unpaid child support have significantly decreased, he noted, "Since then, many laws have been revised. If there is a failure to comply with child support obligations, driving licenses can be suspended, exits can be restricted, and recently, criminal penalty provisions have been added, aiming to treat non-payment itself as child abuse. Efforts are underway to establish new standards for criminal penalties."
[Photo] KBS1
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