Various media outlets and members of the general public gathered outside a Seoul court on Wednesday, where the initial hearing for a child abuse case involving the death of 16-month-old Jeong-in began.

The toddler's adoptive parents allegedly abused the toddler since adopting her in January 2020. The mother, surnamed Jang, now faces murder charges, while the father, surnamed Ahn, is accused of child abandonment and neglect.

Members of civic groups, including the Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association, picketed in front of the Seoul Southern District Court, urging the judiciary to convict the parents of murder and dole out a harsh punishment such as execution.

Dozens of media outlets gathered early in the morning in the hope of interviewing the adoptive father, but it was later revealed he had entered the court before it opened under court protection, effective as of 10:00 a.m.

At the end of Wednesday's hearing, a member of the audience cursed at the mother, and a crowd gathered around the father as he was leaving, prompting authorities to call for restraint.