A South Korean court has convicted and imprisoned the former director of a care facility for disabled individuals in Incheon City on charges of sexual assault against multiple residents. The defendant, identified by the surname Kim, received a 15-year sentence for abusing three residents at the Saekdongwon facility located west of Seoul. The conviction is subject to appeal.
Investigations into Kim commenced after one victim, a woman with severe intellectual disabilities, reported the abuse in February of the previous year. Following the initial complaint, authorities expanded their inquiry and discovered additional victims. An independent assessment conducted by Ganghwa County identified approximately 20 current and former female residents who may have experienced sexual abuse at the facility.
The case prompted significant government action across South Korean care institutions. Authorities inspected 1,507 care facilities for disabled people nationwide, identifying 33 cases of suspected abuse. The discovery raised questions about how such misconduct could occur despite legal protections enacted in 2011 specifically designed to safeguard individuals with disabilities from sexual assault. Government officials acknowledged the severity of the situation, with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok characterizing the abuse as fundamentally challenging the state’s obligations to its citizens.
In response to the scandal, Ganghwa County ordered the closure of Saekdongwon, while Incheon City officials revoked the operating licence of the foundation responsible for the facility. The facility’s closure has been delayed to allow time for the relocation of remaining residents and the establishment of alternative living arrangements. The foundation has initiated an administrative lawsuit contesting the licence revocation.
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