Saekdongwon director and staff to be sent to prosecutors this week; eight additional victims identified

[Financial News] Police plan to refer the director and several staff members of Saekdongwon, a residential facility for adults with severe developmental disabilities in Ganghwa County, Incheon, to prosecutors this week over allegations of sexual violence and embezzlement of funds. Investigators have also uncovered indications of additional crimes and are continuing their probe.
Park Jeong-bo, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), told a regular press briefing on the 23rd, "The investigations into two staff members and the facility director have been completed, and it appears they can be referred to the prosecution sometime this week."
Kim, the director of Saekdongwon, who is suspected of sexually assaulting residents with disabilities, was arrested on the 19th. Two staff members have been sent to the prosecution without being taken into custody.
Police launched a full review of 87 people with disabilities who have passed through the facility since it opened in 2008 and identified eight additional individuals believed to have suffered abuse, including assault and unlawful confinement.
Commissioner Park explained, "The eight victims are mainly cases involving assault and confinement that constitute violations of the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities," adding, "We have begun a preliminary inquiry into four related staff members before formally booking them." He went on, "There is a possibility that more victims will come forward, so we will conduct a thorough investigation."
Police initially believed that 152 people had worked at Saekdongwon, but later confirmed through the Ganghwa-gun Office that there were an additional 240 staff members. A full review is now under way for these additional personnel as well.
Regarding the incident in which Bitcoin seized during an investigation was lost by the Seoul Gangnam Police Station, authorities plan to establish separate guidelines for managing such assets.
Commissioner Park stated, "The National Police Agency has designated the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency to investigate the theft," and added, "In light of this case, separate management guidelines for the seizure of virtual assets will be drawn up and distributed sometime this week."
Police are also monitoring issues related to reservations for the free concert by BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, which begins today.
Commissioner Park stressed, "There is a risk of fraud and theft of personal information, so we are continuously monitoring the situation and have requested the deletion or blocking of 34 posts."
425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter