Yeongdeok-gun to Close Social Welfare Facility Amid Abuse Allegations Including Assault and Forced Hospitalization

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju-cheol In] As cases of abuse against users at a social welfare facility in Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk continue, Yeongdeok County is pushing for the closure of the facility.

Some civic groups have demanded individualized support for independent living for residents of the welfare facility.

According to Yeongdeok County on the 15th, a social welfare facility in Yeongdeok was established in 2015 and currently houses 29 users with 20 staff members working there.

Civic organizations such as the Gyeongbuk branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ Public Transport and Social Service Workers’ Union have claimed that since the facility’s establishment until recently, there have been multiple incidents of physical abuse against users, forced hospitalization in psychiatric hospitals, and hiring of unqualified personnel.

Yeongdeok County detected the first violation on December 2019 and issued an improvement order, and detected a second violation in March 2020, ordering the replacement of the facility director.

Earlier this month, abuse against users was confirmed again, and the county decided to proceed with facility closure according to relevant laws and has begun a hearing process involving related parties.

The Social Welfare Services Act stipulates that if a social welfare facility violates regulations three or more times resulting in human rights violations, the facility must be closed.

The Public Transport and Social Service Workers’ Union demands not only the closure of the welfare facility but also the dissolution of the operating corporation, support for independent living for residents, and protection for whistleblowers who reported internal human rights abuses.

A union official stated, "The main culprits of the human rights violations are Yeongdeok County, which neglected supervision and administrative measures, and the corporation and facility management, who were more focused on suppressing and covering up whistleblowers than improving the issues. Facilities where abuse against residents has been repeated must be properly closed, but a comprehensive plan should be established to enable persons with disabilities to live in the community."

A Yeongdeok County official said, "Closure has not yet been finalized, and we are currently undergoing the hearing process for closure. We will decide whether to proceed with closure after the hearing."

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