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Care Home Director Jailed for Raping Disabled Residents
5 Oct
Summary
- Care home director sentenced to 15 years for raping disabled residents.
- Victims struggled to communicate, complicating investigations.
- Case highlights systemic failures in protecting vulnerable individuals.
A former director of a state-run care home in South Korea has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the sexual assault of three residents with intellectual disabilities. The director, identified by his surname Kim, was found guilty of raping two victims and a lesser charge of sexual violence against a third. His appeal is currently pending.
Seo Mi-hyeon, one of the victims, disclosed the abuse after nearly a decade. Her disclosure was prompted by an injury sustained when Kim allegedly attempted to assault her in February 2025. Investigations revealed at least two other victims, Lee Mi-Na among them. Activists criticized the reliance on verbal testimony during the trial, arguing it failed to capture the experiences of residents with severe communication difficulties.
The case has ignited national debate about the protection of disabled individuals in state care. Despite strengthened laws enacted in 2011 following a similar scandal, regular inspections failed to prevent the abuse. Authorities are now implementing nationwide inspections and strengthening oversight mechanisms for residential facilities. The Saekdongwon facility at the center of the case has been ordered to close.
