A South Korean court has sentenced the former director of a disabled care home to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting multiple residents. The man, identified by the surname Kim, was convicted of abusing three residents at the Saekdongwon facility located in Incheon City, west of Seoul. The ruling is subject to appeal.
The investigation into Kim began after one victim, a woman with a severe intellectual disability, reported the abuse in February of the previous year. Following this case, the South Korean government initiated inspections of 1,507 care facilities for disabled individuals nationwide, resulting in the discovery of 33 suspected abuse cases.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok referred to the incidents at Saekdongwon as "a grave matter that calls into question the very reason for the state's existence." An assessment commissioned by Ganghwa County revealed that 20 current and former female residents may have experienced sexual abuse.
Public concern has grown regarding how such incidents could occur, particularly after the implementation of stronger laws in 2011 aimed at protecting individuals with disabilities from sexual assault. Questions have also been raised about how the director's actions went undetected for an extended period.
In response to the findings, Ganghwa County has ordered the closure of Saekdongwon, while officials in Incheon City have revoked the operating license of the foundation managing the facility. However, the closure will be postponed until all remaining residents have been relocated and arrangements for independent living are finalized. The foundation has filed an administrative lawsuit contesting the license revocation.