South Korea: Abuse of Disabled Care Residents Exposed, Victim Forced to Call Abuser ‘Dad’

Seo began living at Saekdongwon, a care home for intellectually disabled individuals, in 2016.

The Incheon facility, fully state-subsidised, still houses approximately 33 residents despite being ordered to close following the case.

According to Seo, abuse began shortly after her arrival, with Kim visiting her at night or in the early morning to rape her.

Through lawyer Ko Eun-young, Seo explained she had no trusted adult at the facility to turn to, feeling staff would not help. The care home has not responded to the allegation.

For nearly a decade, this was Seo’s reality until the case surfaced in February 2025, when she suffered a head injury.

She described that during one assault, she blocked Kim with her hands, causing him to throw a glass at her.

The care home took Seo to hospital and notified her mother only after her head wound had been stitched, her lawyer told the court.

Seo’s lawyer says her mother requested CCTV footage to understand the injury, but the facility refused, claiming it was unauthorised to release it.

As a result, her mother brought Seo home and withdrew her from the facility. It was only after being told she wouldn’t have to return that Seo disclosed the sexual abuse to her mother, who then reported it to police.

“I thought it was safe to speak because I was told I didn’t have to go back to Saekdongwon,” Seo told the BBC via her lawyer.

When asked how she managed to endure so many years, she replied: “I just endured it.”

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