South Korea jails disabled care home head for sexually assaulting residents

A former head of a disabled care home in South Korea has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting multiple residents, a case that has sparked outrage across the nation. The convicted man, identified only as Kim, was found guilty of abusing three residents at the Saekdongwon facility in Incheon City, located west of Seoul.

The decision is pending appeal. The investigation into Kim was triggered by a complaint from one of his victims, a woman with severe intellectual impairment, who came forward in February of the previous year. The incident has prompted authorities to inspect 1,507 care facilities for disabled individuals nationwide, uncovering 33 cases of suspected abuse.

Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok described the abuse at Saekdongwon as a grave matter that calls into question the purpose of the state. An assessment commissioned by Ganghwa County revealed that 20 current and former female residents might have experienced sexual abuse. Many South Koreans are questioning how such a case could occur, particularly after stricter laws against sexual assault of people with disabilities were enacted in 2011.

Questions have also been raised about how the director's actions were allowed to continue for so long. The Ganghwa County authorities have ordered Saekdongwon to shut down, while Incheon City officials have revoked the license of the foundation that operated the facility. However, the closure is on hold until all remaining residents have been moved and plans for independent living have been put in place. The foundation has filed an administrative lawsuit against the revocation of its license.