Kim Dong-yeon: "Government Must Offer Responsible Apology and Measures to Seongam Academy Victims"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon pledged that Gyeonggi Province will take full responsibility until the wounds of Ansan’s ‘Seongam Academy,’ where youth human rights violations were rampant, are healed, and once again urged the government, the perpetrator of state violence, to offer a responsible apology and take appropriate measures.

On the 27th, Governor Kim Dong-yeon posted on his social media service (SNS) a message titled “Until All Wounds of State Violence at Seongam Academy Are Healed,” stating, "All detainees of Seongam Academy have been recognized as victims of human rights violations," and added, "As the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, I once again offer my apologies to the victims and bereaved families of Seongam Academy."

Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province posted the following text and photo on his SNS on the 27th.

He continued, "Gyeonggi Province is doing its utmost to restore the honor of the victims of Seongam Academy and support the victims," introducing that "victims are receiving consolation money of 5 million KRW and a monthly living stabilization support fund of 200,000 KRW."

He also said, "Gyeonggi Province has taken the initiative in excavating the remains of victims, which is a responsibility of the government, starting this month," and added, "From April, through the Inwoo Guarantee, support will be extended to those admitted before the creation of the original register of residents."

He then stated, "Gyeonggi Province will take full responsibility until all wounds of Seongam Academy are healed," and "We once again urge the government, the perpetrator of state violence, to offer a responsible apology and take appropriate measures."

Seongam Academy was a juvenile detention facility established in 1942 in the area of 101-19 Seongam-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan City, where for 40 years until 1982, over 4,700 boys were subjected to forced labor, beatings, and harsh treatment, violating their human rights.

Currently, on the site (approximately 90,000㎡), 11 buildings remain that were formerly used as children’s dormitories, staff quarters, stables, and salt warehouses. In October 2022, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended that the state and Gyeonggi Province take protective measures for the Seongam Academy historic site (former location).

Earlier, the Past Affairs Settlement Committee for Truth and Reconciliation recognized all detainees of ‘Seongam Academy’ as victims on the 27th.