Seoul City Provides 'Independent Housing' Support for Disabled Victims of Facility Abuse

Following Administrative Measures, First Support for Deinstitutionalization, Independence, and Psychological Protection of Disabled Persons
Housing Services Including Residence, 13 Million KRW Settlement Fund, and Household Support for 11 Individuals Aspiring to Independence

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Seoul City announced on the 16th that it has temporarily relocated 21 residents from the A Disabled Residential Facility in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, where long-term repetitive human rights violations were revealed, to a facility managed and operated by the city. This follows the administrative measures of 'facility closure' and 'revocation of corporate establishment approval' imposed in May.

Although Facility A is located in Gapyeong, its operating corporation is based in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, so Seoul City supervises and manages it, and Geumcheon-gu has the authority to impose administrative sanctions on the facility.

The city is currently conducting psychological recovery programs to help the disabled residents adapt to the new environment and prepare for a fresh start. Additionally, some who wish to live independently will be able to move into Seoul City's 'Supportive Housing for the Disabled' in September.

This is the first time the city has undertaken comprehensive post-management for closed facilities involving emergency separation (temporary transfer), psychological counseling, and provision of independent housing. Until now, protection was only provided by separating perpetrators and victims in abusive facilities and transferring disabled individuals to other facilities.

Out of the total 61 residents who lived in Facility A, 21 have been temporarily transferred to Seoul City-managed and operated facilities in three phases. Among them, 11 residents will move into supportive housing for the disabled in September. The city plans to continuously support them to live as members of the local community through settlement funds of 13 million KRW, housing services such as housekeeping support, and counseling.

For the remaining 40 residents still at Facility A, the city plans to persuade their guardians to complete transfer and independence by the end of September. However, if independence is not desired, the city will respect the opinions of the users and guardians and support their transfer to one of the 44 disabled residential facilities managed and operated by the city.

Meanwhile, Seoul City received reports of suspected human rights violations at Facility A in October last year, conducted inspections and investigations, and imposed facility closure and revocation of corporate establishment approval in May this year.

However, Facility A has continuously demanded the cancellation of the facility closure order through collective complaints, petitions, and administrative lawsuits, refusing to comply with Seoul City's administrative measures. The Seoul Administrative Court dismissed their request for a suspension of the facility closure enforcement.

Jung Jin-woo, Director of Welfare Planning at Seoul City, said, "We will complete the facility closure without any hesitation to protect the rights and interests of the disabled and provide comprehensive support so that the users can settle in the community as soon as possible. We ask the guardians of the users at the facility to trust Seoul City and have the courage to pursue a better life and happiness for their children, despite the psychological anxiety they may feel."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.