As Incheon's Ganghwa County decided to partially disclose an in-depth investigative report related to sexual violence allegations raised at Saekdongwon, a residential facility for people with severe disabilities, it was confirmed that both the facility and the investigating body requested nondisclosure.
Ganghwa County Chief Park Yong-chul held a press conference at the Ganghwa County Office on the 9th and said, "Saekdongwon and other third parties requested nondisclosure, citing sensitive information and trade secrets," adding, "At this stage, disclosure is only possible on Feb. 11."
Saekdongwon in Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa, was a facility where 33 people with severe developmental disabilities had been admitted. In March last year, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Women and Juvenile Crime Investigation Unit booked without detention the facility head, a person surnamed A at Saekdongwon, on charges including rape and forcible molestation of a person with disabilities under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, and is conducting an investigation.
Park said, "Given the nature of the matter, it is hard to see blocking disclosure for such reasons as just, and it will also be difficult for the public to sympathize," urging, "Immediately withdraw the request for nondisclosure and cooperate in uncovering the truth."
Under the Information Disclosure Act, third parties include Saekdongwon, A, the director of Saekdongwon, and the Woosuk University research team that conducted the investigation. Saekdongwon and Director A cited sensitive information, while the Woosuk University research team cited trade secrets as grounds for nondisclosure, according to reports.
Under the relevant rules, if a third party demands nondisclosure, there must be at least a 30-day interval between the date the disclosure decision is made and the actual disclosure date. If a third party pursues an administrative appeal or administrative litigation, the disclosure timing could be further delayed.
Park said, "We view this as a grave matter in which the human rights and dignity of socially vulnerable people may have been violated," adding, "If the allegations are confirmed to be true, we will take immediate and strict administrative measures, including closing the facility, under a zero-tolerance policy."
Park added, "We have requested improvements to laws and guidelines so that active measures, such as temporary closure, are possible when allegations of human rights violations such as sexual violence and assault arise at facilities for people with disabilities," and said, "We also request investigative agencies to announce swift and clear results."