Police Seek Arrest Warrant for Saekdongwon Director over Sexual Violence Allegations

Charges of Violating the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act

The police, who are investigating allegations of sexual violence at Saekdongwon, a facility for persons with severe disabilities located in Ganghwa County, Incheon, have requested arrest warrants for the facility director and a staff member.

The Saekdongwon Case Special Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 9th that it had requested an arrest warrant for Mr. Kim, the director of the facility, on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act. An arrest warrant was also requested for one staff member on charges of assault under the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act.

Mr. Kim (center), director of Saekdongwon, a facility for people with severe disabilities in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, is coming out of an interrogation room at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 4th after completing a second round of questioning. Yonhap News

Mr. Kim is suspected of having committed sexual violence over an extended period against women with severe disabilities who reside at Saekdongwon, a residential facility for persons with disabilities. Since the facility opened in 2008, 87 residents and 152 staff members have passed through it, and the police have so far identified at least six victims.

Regarding the allegations of sexual assault and assault that arose within the facility, the police are conducting a full-scale investigation of all residents and staff members from the time of its opening, while also pursuing a separate, large-scale investigation into the suspected misappropriation of subsidies. At a press briefing that day, Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jeongbo explained, "To obtain victim statements, we need the time and place, but it is difficult to verify these through ordinary methods," adding, "Securing statements is the key."