'Baby box' triggers controversy

Pastor Lee Jong-rak demonstrates how a "baby box" works. Korea Times file

Number of abandoned infants soars in 2014

By Kim Se-jeong

The number of babies abandoned in a "baby box," operated by a church in Seoul since 2009 for humanitarian purposes, is soaring fast, creating a heated debate over whether its operations should be halted.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Friday, 220 babies were left in the box last year, compared to only four in 2010.

The box was installed by Pastor Lee Jong-rak at a church in Sillim-dong, Seoul, who didn't want babies abandoned indiscriminately outside district offices or orphanages.

However, almost five years into its operation, critics say the box has become a cause for baby abandonment.

Last year, the entire number of babies abandoned in the city was 228, meaning almost all came from the baby box. "It's because mothers trust the baby box. They believe their babies will be well taken care of," one anonymous expert said.

Pastor Lee thinks the box is serving its purpose well. "The baby box is certainly saving lives." Many agree with him.

Yet, critics view the baby box as "encouraging" young mothers to abandon their babies.

"I respect his intention," said Prof. Noh Hye-ryeon from Soongsil University in Seoul. "But, this encourages women to abandon babies. What we need is a support system that encourages mothers to keep their babies, not give them up."

Pastor Lee argues the increase is because of the revised adoption law in 2012.

The revised law obliged the mother to reveal her identity in order for her baby to be adopted.

Studies show a majority of mothers who abandon their babies are teenagers, and often the babies are premature or disabled. Church staff said they have seen some mothers come to get their babies back, but this is very rare.

Currently, new babies in the baby box stay in the church for three to four days before being transferred to a hospital for medical check-ups and to foster care facilities. The Seoul Metropolitan Government picks the babies up twice a week from the church.

Some babies stay at the church, mostly for health reasons, and almost 10 are currently living there. A medical center in the neighborhood sends pediatricians and other staff to perform checkups on them.

The baby box demonstrates strong social prejudice against those who become pregnant out of wedlock in Korea, according to experts.

Pregnant women often abort their babies or go into hiding to have their babies, not even letting their families know about it.

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