South Korea Punishes Care Home Director Who Assaulted Disabled Residents
A South Korean court has jailed the former head of a disabled care home after menacing and assaulting several residents. In a case that shocked the nation, the former director, identified only by his surname Kim, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting three residents at the Saekdongwon facility in Incheon City, west of Seoul. The verdict comes after police investigation was triggered by one of his victims, a woman who suffered from severe intellectual disability, who came forward in February last year.
The case prompted the government to inspect 1,507 care facilities for disabled people nationwide, uncovering 33 suspected abuse incidents. Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok characterized the abuse at Saekdongwon as “a grave matter that calls into question the very reason for the state's existence.” A detailed assessment by Ganghwa County found that 20 current and former female residents may have experienced sexual abuse.
Many citizens asked how such a case could still occur, especially after laws were strengthened in 2011 to protect people with disabilities from sexual assault. Questions also arose over why the director’s actions could go undetected for so long.
Ganghwa County has ordered Saekdongwon to close, while Incheon City officials revoked the licence of the foundation that operated it. However, the closure has been deferred until the remaining residents have been relocated and arrangements for independent living have been completed. The foundation has filed an administrative lawsuit challenging the revocation of its licence.
