The Challenge of Historic Human Rights Violations from a Korean Survivor

Representing the Association of Survivors of Detention Facilities in Busan, Seok-joo Son is a survivor of the Yeonghwasook and Jaesaengwon Confinement Institutions, where marginalized populations were institutionalized, mostly involuntarily, and frequently subjected to systemic abuse, forced labor, and inhumane conditions. Seok-joo Son was in such an institution from 9 to 16 years old. In this interview, Son tells us more about what he endured, and what measures he believes should be put in place to prevent similar human rights violations from happening.

Can you share your personal experience of being detained at one of those detention facilities? How has it shaped your life and activism?

As a nine-year-old child, while selling newspapers in front of Busan Station to earn money for school, I was lured by a stranger and forcibly placed into Yeonghwasook and Jaesaengwon Confinement Institutions, during the 1960s and early 1970s. I was held in seven different facilities until I was 16. I experienced physical abuse, sexual assault, and other ill-treatment. The hardest part was the hunger—I was so starved that I even ate dirt. In the facility, I would wake up in the morning to find that a friend had died during the night, and under the director's orders, the detained children would bury the friend on a nearby hill. No one has taken responsibility for the victims who died in pain or for the survivors who suffered. The victims, deprived of education during a crucial period, led miserable lives in society. Some even passed away without ever receiving an apology. We had no opportunity for a humane life, instead living in trauma and fear. With the little time I have left, my wish is to be recognized as a victim and to resolve the deep sorrows of myself and others. That is why I am actively speaking out on this issue. Many people are unaware of the history of Yeonghwasook and Jaesaengwon, and similar facilities.

Why do you think this part of South Korea's history has remained so hidden from public discourse?

I believe that the impunity of those in power and the prejudice against detained individuals have concealed the history of such facilities. The responsibility of the state has never been established in any lawsuits brought by victims. Despite such horrific events, the government of the Republic of Korea has not publicly apologized to the victims. Behind South Korea's remarkable economic development, individuals like us—vagrants and people with disabilities—were seen as subjects to be hidden away. Isolating us from society has been packaged as a noble act, while the state has remained silent regarding the criminal actions in these detention facilities. Many of these facilities continue to operate similar establishments today. For this reason, I believe the history of these facilities is concealed in public discourse.

What was the government's role during the period when “vagrant crackdowns” and detentions were happening, and how have they responded to the survivors' demands for justice?

The government's role during the period of "vagrant crackdowns" and detentions should have been to immediately halt these actions, punish the perpetrators, and protect the detained victims. The government ignored human rights during that time. However, the government has remained silent in response to the survivors' demands for justice. Even when there were opportunities to hold those responsible accountable and protect the victims, they turned a blind eye. Despite being aware of the human rights abuses occurring within the facilities, the government continued to expand them. The government has not conducted the necessary investigations to establish the truth, and no apologies have been made. Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established, it was not given sufficient authority or time to carry out thorough investigations. Even in response to the Commission's recommendations, responsible governmental departments have merely passed responsibility to one another, failing to take it upon themselves to apologize or provide reparation.

What are some of the long-term effects that survivors of these detention facilities are still dealing with, both physically and emotionally?

I am experiencing various forms of trauma. I have lost trust in the state, and the government’s repeated indifference or requests for case retrials have deepened the victims’ despair. For some victims, the suffering they endured in the facility was so severe that it led them to take their own lives. I live in fear of prejudice from those around me, in a situation where not even a single apology or official acknowledgment of responsibility has been made. Despite my body being in terrible condition due to the abuse I suffered in the facility, I have never received proper, systematic medical treatment.

What measures do you believe should be put in place to prevent similar human rights violations from happening again in South Korea?

First, efforts must be made to close down the detention facilities that are still in operation. Second, the government must take full responsibility, issue a formal apology to the victims, and provide reparations. Third, there must be a procedure in place to continually commemorate and honour not only the survivors but also those who unjustly lost their lives due to institutionalization. Finally, it is essential to provide the necessary medical and psychological support to ensure that the surviving victims can live the remainder of their lives in happiness.

How can the international community support the survivors in their fight for recognition, justice, and healing?

It would be helpful if the international community could clearly point out the errors in the perspective of the Republic of Korea’s government. This can be done by confirming that the violence inflicted on the victims of numerous detention facilities, including Yeonghwasook and Jaesaengwon, constitutes human rights violations that contravene international human rights standards, and joining in our efforts to raise the voices of victims.

It would be helpful if they could join in emphasizing that acknowledging state responsibility for the victims who have carried deep grievances and advocating for them is a fundamental duty of the state. Additionally, it would be appreciated if the international community could connect various survivors within the international society to foster solidarity.

You were in Geneva to represent the Association of Survivors of Detention Facilities at the recent CAT session, what are your takeaways from the session?

This was my first experience with such a process. It felt as though I received the comfort and empathy I had not experienced for decades. I believe that sharing difficult pain with someone is part of the healing process, and felt that we need to boldly make known, both domestically and internationally, that we are victims. I hope that the recommendations from the CAT session will lead to changes in South Korean society and that institutional reforms will take place to ensure the rights of victims of institutionalization, including the extension of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, among others. Additionally, I wish for our participation in the recent CAT session to be considered as a courageous endeavour for hidden victims in the Republic of Korea to voice their experiences more actively.

Seok-joo Son’s testimony before the CAT was a powerful step in a long struggle for truth and justice. His presence in Geneva sent a clear message: survivors will not be silenced. His fight is not over. Alongside other survivors, he continues to demand recognition, accountability. His courage is a call to action—for South Korea to reckon with its past, and for the international community to stand in solidarity with those who refuse to be forgotten.