Shin Chung-sik, Incheon City Council Member, Calls for Comprehensive Investigation into Ganghwa Saekdongwon Incident as a Warning for Welfare Administration

Shin Chung-sik, a member of the Incheon Metropolitan City Council (People Power Party, Seo-gu 4), urged the city of Incheon to establish fundamental preventive measures, including a comprehensive investigation of welfare facilities and the expansion of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in light of the recent sexual violence incident at Ganghwa Saekdongwon.

According to Shin on the 2nd, he pointed out during the Health and Welfare Bureau's work report at the 306th Incheon City Council extraordinary session that "similar human rights violation allegations have been raised in various welfare facilities, including those for people with disabilities," and emphasized that "we need to shift from reactive responses after incidents to a prevention-focused administration."

Shin stressed that this incident should not be viewed merely as an individual facility's deviation but as a warning signal that necessitates a review of the entire welfare administration. Accordingly, he called for a comprehensive reality check and strengthening of preventive measures in Incheon.

Specifically, he proposed a comprehensive investigation of welfare facilities, the expansion of CCTV installation and management standards within facilities, mandatory human rights education for staff, and improvements to internal reporting systems. He particularly stated that all measures should be designed with the protection of victims as the top priority.

Shin stated, "Incheon City must prepare a feasible action plan to ensure that such incidents do not happen again," and added, "The administration and civil society must work together to create a transparent and safe welfare facility environment."