Press Releases
Ministry of Health and Welfare
Nov 21,2025
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong) and the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC, President Chung Ick-joong) held the 19th Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse ceremony on Wednesday, November 19, at 2 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the JW Marriott Hotel in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
The Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, a statutory commemoration designated under Article 23 of the Child Welfare Act, has been observed annually on November 19 since 2007.
Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse
Purpose: To promote children’s healthy development and raise nationwide awareness about preventing and stopping child abuse
Child Abuse Prevention Week: The one-week period from November 19 to 25, during which education and awareness activities focus on preventing child abuse
Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse
Purpose: To promote children’s healthy development and raise nationwide awareness about preventing and stopping child abuse
Child Abuse Prevention Week: The one-week period from November 19 to 25, during which education and awareness activities focus on preventing child abuse
Now in its 19th year, this year’s ceremony was held under the theme “Positive Parenting: Respect Children as They Are.” Approximately 200 individuals participated, including MOHW Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong, NCRC President Ick-Joong Chung, and award recipients.
At the ceremony, MOHW Minister’s Citations and Awards were presented to individuals and organizations that made significant contributions to preventing child abuse, responding to cases, and supporting the recovery of child victims over the past year.
A total of 129 individuals received MOHW Minister’s Citations, including child protection officers who ensured the rapid protection of abused children and carried out prevention activities; counselors at child protection agencies who helped prevent recurrence through case management for affected children and their families; and police officers who swiftly apprehended perpetrators and protected child victims.
Local governments―including Dalseo-gu in Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeonggi-do―were also recognized for their contributions to establishing response systems to prevent and address child abuse. Their efforts included facilitating the operation of designated child-abuse response medical institutions and strengthening child-protection infrastructure. They were selected as outstanding local governments for operating effective public response systems and received the MOHW Minister's Awards.
* Metropolitan governments: Gyeonggi-do, Incheon Metropolitan CityMunicipalities: Dalseo-gu in Daegu, Jung-gu in Daejeon, Sasang-gu in Busan, Nowon-gu in Seoul, Namwon-si in Jeollabuk-do, and Gongju-si in Chungcheongnam-do
Aligned with the theme “Positive Parenting: Respect Children as They Are,” the ceremony featured a joint performance by a choir of children with hearing impairments and the Police Symphony Orchestra, a positive-parenting performance, and the screening of a promotional video―all aimed at raising public awareness of child abuse prevention. A child representative from the NCRC also delivered congratulatory remarks, highlighting the importance of child abuse prevention from a child’s perspective.
Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong stated, “When we respect children as they are and practice positive parenting, child abuse can be prevented naturally. The government will continue strengthening a comprehensive support system to ensure that all children grow up healthy and safe from abuse, and will work to build a society where children are protected and respected.”
NCRC President Chung Ick-joong remarked, “A society that respects children as independent individuals and shifts its perception of them will make children’s happiness an everyday norm, not an exception. The NCRC will continue working to create a world free from child abuse.”
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