10 residents confirmed as victims of sexual violence or assault in ‘Saekdongwon case’... Further investigation to follow

[Financial News] Police investigating sexual violence and assault at Saekdongwon, a residential facility for people with disabilities, have confirmed that 10 residents were victimized. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has concluded its investigation, but inquiries into whether there were additional victims of sexual violence are expected to continue.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 28th, police began a preliminary investigation last May into allegations of sexual violence by Saekdongwon’s facility director. In January this year, they formed a special investigation team and expanded the scope of the investigation to include allegations of sexual violence and assault against all residents, as well as the director’s alleged misuse of subsidies.
In February, police referred the facility director to prosecutors while in custody on suspicion of rape resulting in injury and violating the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities. They also referred two staff members on suspicion of violating the same act, without detaining them.
Police then conducted investigations and interviews with 62 of the 87 residents, excluding the 25 who had died, as well as 240 staff members. After comparing and analyzing the materials they had obtained, they began preliminary investigations into 13 staff members on suspicion of violating the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities through assault.
Police formally booked seven of them and ultimately determined that the allegations against six were substantiated, transferring the case that day to the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, which has jurisdiction over the area where the incidents occurred. Five of the six are suspected of assault in violation of the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, and one of violating the Personal Information Protection Act.
A total of 10 residents were found to have been victimized during the investigation: three were victims of sexual violence and seven of assault.
Police also investigated allegations that the facility director misused subsidies. After analyzing seized accounting records and witness statements, among other materials, police concluded that the director was suspected of embezzling about 7.1 million won in subsidies and other funds and misappropriating about 18.98 million won in donations, and referred the case to prosecutors on May 15.
Although the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s investigation has concluded for now, follow-up inquiries into whether there were additional victims of sexual violence are expected to continue. The National Office of Investigation plans to have another provincial or metropolitan police agency conduct the related investigation, taking into account a request from the joint response committee that additional victims of sexual violence be identified.
[email protected] Kim Ye-ji Reporter