The article discusses the efforts of Gu Bon-chang, an activist from the organization “People Solving Child Support,” previously known as “Bad Fathers,” to hold absentee “Kopino” fathers accountable. “Kopino” refers to children born between Korean men and local Filipino women. Many of these fathers have abandoned their children and cut off contact. The activist Gu Bon-chang has been publishing the fathers’ photos on social media to compel them to take responsibility.
After media reports on Filipino single mothers searching for these fathers, many of whom had blocked contact for years, the fathers have started reaching out to the mothers. On October 27, Gu reported that after the news coverage, fathers who had been absent for years began reaching out due to fear of having their faces publicized.
Gu faced legal issues previously for revealing the identities of “bad fathers” and was charged with defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act. However, he resumed his activities in late October, declaring his resolve to continue even at the risk of defamation charges. He expressed frustration that some Kopino children, like one born in 2018, are not receiving necessary medical care due to financial constraints.
Gu highlighted the challenge of tracing the fathers without information like passport or Korean phone numbers, emphasizing that revealing their faces is the last resort. Despite receiving numerous tips since posting the fathers’ photos, he also faces threats and warnings about potential defamation charges but insists that sharing the images on social media is the last hope without essential identifying details.
Since 2018, Gu has been working to expose parents who neglect child support through “Bad Fathers,” causing controversy. He was fined 1 million KRW with a suspended sentence for his actions last year.