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Woman referred to prosecutors for alleged child abuse after feeding 2-month-old tteokguk

Published: 17 Apr. 2026, 09:21

A photo uploaded by a woman in her 30s on social media shows her feeding tteokguk (rice cake soup) to her 2-month-old baby. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A woman has been referred to prosecutors on charges of child abuse after posting photos on social media showing that she fed tteokguk (rice cake soup) to her 2-month-old baby.

The woman was booked without detention and sent to prosecutors on charges of child abuse under the Child Welfare Act, according to the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency on Friday.

The woman is accused of abusing her 2-month-old son at her home in Incheon between January and February by feeding the infant foods such as tteokguk and strawberries.

Police determined that the woman physically abused the infant by feeding food other than formula to the child, whose digestive system had not yet fully developed.

The investigation began after the woman posted photos on her social media account in February, where she uploaded a photo of tteokguk in a small bowl along with a baby spoon. She also posted a photo of the child with a scratch on his face and wrote, “[Name of celebrity], why are you scratching my precious child’s face seriously [expletive].”

Hundreds of comments expressing concern about the child’s health were posted on the woman’s social media account, and some users reported suspected abuse to the police.

Police visited the woman’s home and confirmed the child’s safety. They then filed for a restraining order with the court, which issued a temporary measure banning the woman from approaching within 100 meters (328 feet) of the child until Monday.

The woman reportedly admitted during police questioning that she fed the child foods including tteokguk, but claimed that she did so in hopes that the baby "would become healthier.”

"We determined that the woman abused the infant by feeding them food inappropriate for the baby’s developmental stage, and no other physical abuse or neglect has been confirmed,” police said. “We will review whether to extend the temporary measure in consultation with local authorities.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JANG GU-SEUL [[email protected]]