Kim Dong-yeon: "Government Must Apologize and Reflect on Human Rights Violations at Seongam Academy"

Gyeonggi-do to Provide 5 Million KRW Consolation Payment and Other Support to Victims Starting This Month

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province (fifth from the right), visited the Victim Support Center for the Seongam Academy Incident located in the old Gyeonggi Provincial Government building on the 28th of last month and took a commemorative photo with the officials. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon visited the Seongam Academy Victim Support Center, which relocated from Seongam-dong in Ansan to the old Gyeonggi Provincial Government building in Paldal-gu, Suwon, and stated, "Victims of the Seongam Academy incident, whose human rights were violated by public authority, should receive support from Gyeonggi Province with pride and without shame. Since Gyeonggi Province has opened the way with its support, the state must sincerely apologize and reflect."

On the 28th of last month, Governor Kim toured the Seongam Academy Victim Support Center, which moved to the 3rd floor of the old Gyeonggi Provincial Government building, and had a conversation with victims including Center Director Kim Young-bae (Chairman of the Seongam Academy Child Victim Countermeasure Council).

At this meeting, Governor Kim said, "Regarding the Itaewon tragedy, I believe the first step is for responsible national leaders to sincerely apologize, reflect, and acknowledge it, and the same applies to Seongam Academy. Even now, human rights violations by public authority may occur in various places, though the form may differ from the Seongam case," adding, "The central government should take a responsible stance on apology and truth-finding to ease the victims' hearts first."

He also mentioned that since January 16, applications for Seongam Academy living stabilization support have been accepted, with 121 applicants as of the 28th, stating, "If the number of applicants increases and the budget is insufficient, we will find a way to support them, so I hope everyone comes to Gyeonggi Province. If anyone is unaware, we will inform them about the support program and create an atmosphere where those who might feel ashamed or worry about burdening their families can speak openly and proudly."

The province had previously estimated a total of 100 beneficiaries based on 70 victims of the Seongam Academy incident residing in the province and those who moved to Gyeonggi when announcing measures last October. However, the number of applicants has far exceeded this estimate within about 40 days of acceptance. The province believes that many victims living in other local governments have moved to Gyeonggi due to application requirements based on an ordinance that only supports residents. Under current local autonomy and local finance laws, local governments cannot support non-resident individuals.

Kim Young-bae, Director of the Seongam Academy Victim Support Center, expressed gratitude, saying, "Governor Kim Dong-yeon's sincere apology regarding the Seongam Academy issue seems to have strengthened discussions on special laws and past affairs laws."

In April 2020, the province established a victim reporting center within the Gyeonggi Creative Center in Seongam-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan, to support healing and honor restoration for Seongam Academy victims. However, due to its inconvenient location far from the city center, the decision was made to relocate to enhance accessibility and convenience for victims.

Additionally, following the conclusion of truth-finding applications by the Past Affairs Truth and Reconciliation Commission in December last year, the center's name was changed from the Victim Reporting Center to the Victim Support Center. The center's support functions were significantly expanded to include ▲ trauma relief for victims ▲ in-depth counseling ▲ emotional stability support ▲ operation of victim self-help groups ▲ linkage to integrated welfare services.

In October last year, Governor Kim visited the incident site for the first time in 40 years since the closure of Seongam Academy, officially apologized for state violence during the appointed governor period, and announced the "Comprehensive Measures for Healing and Honor Restoration of the Seongam Academy Incident," promising "living support for victims" among other measures.

Starting this month, the province provides Seongam Academy victims with ▲ monthly living stabilization support of 200,000 KRW ▲ consolation money of 5 million KRW ▲ medical services up to 5 million KRW annually at Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center ▲ actual medical expenses up to 2 million KRW annually at tertiary general hospitals.