[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] As Gyeonggi Province is promoting a medical support project for victims of Seongam Academy, two residents received their first medical treatment on the 10th.
Gyeonggi Province announced that it will support 100% of the out-of-pocket expenses up to 5 million KRW per person annually for Seongam Academy victims nationwide who receive treatment at Gyeonggi Medical Center.
The two individuals receiving free dental treatment for the first time were among those admitted to Seongam Academy. Most of the confirmed residents suffer from multiple complex diseases, but among them, dental problems caused by malnutrition due to lack of dental care during infancy have been revealed to be severe. A survey of 32 residents showed that dental treatment and psychological therapy were the most urgently needed.
Jung Il-yong, director of Gyeonggi Medical Center, emphasized, "I hope this treatment will be a small comfort to the victims of Seongam Academy," adding, "Gyeonggi Medical Center will do its best to provide continuous and stable medical fees so that the victims can regain their health."
Seongam Academy was a reform institution established in Ansan City in May 1942 following the announcement of the Joseon Juvenile Act during the late Japanese colonial period. After liberation, Gyeonggi Province took over and forcibly isolated and confined homeless youth in the city under the pretext of rehabilitation and education, operating until 1982. Over 4,700 boys were subjected to forced labor, and many attempted to escape from human rights abuses such as beatings and malnutrition, with many sacrificing their lives.
Meanwhile, the province is also establishing a system to ensure satisfactory medical treatment, including providing linked services with other hospitals when severe illnesses occur.
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