News Vitamin: “Deokseongwon Victims File First Lawsuit Against Operating Foundation.”
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News Vitamin Article:
“Deokseongwon Victims File First Lawsuit Against Operating Foundation”
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First published in Korea on April 26th, 2026.
Posted to Paperslip on April 25th, 2026.
Translation via ChatGPT.
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Deokseongwon Victims File First Lawsuit Against Operating Foundation
News Vitamin Reporter (deok1506@daum.net)
Published: April 26, 2026, 07:27 | Updated: April 26, 2026, 07:35
“On April 23, 2026, four victims of human rights abuses at Deokseongwon, including Ahn Jong-hwan, filed a lawsuit for damages against the social welfare corporation Eunha Welfare Foundation at the Busan Eastern District Court. They also held a press conference in front of the Busan District Court building. The event was organized by the “Deokseongwon Survivors’ Council” and co-hosted by several groups, including the Coalition for Orphans’ Rights, the “I Am a Parent” Association, the Oryu Village Council, the Montaigne Overseas Adoption Solidarity, and attorney Lim Jae-sung of the law firm Haemaru.
This lawsuit is considered unprecedented among past cases involving group institutionalization facilities, as it is the first to directly hold the operating corporation accountable.
Deokseongwon was a children’s group residential facility formerly operated in the Busan area. It was later revealed that serious human rights violations had occurred inside, including forced labor, physical abuse, sexual violence, and extremely poor living conditions.
In October 2024, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission defined the case as a “serious human rights violation caused by unjust exercise of state power” and launched an official investigation. In December 2025, a court ruling acknowledged illegal acts within Deokseongwon and determined that both the state and the city of Busan bore responsibility for oversight and supervision. That ruling was finalized at the first trial level. However, it only recognized the responsibility of the state and local government and did not address the liability of the corporation that established and operated the facility.
As a result, the victims have filed a separate lawsuit against the Eunha Welfare Foundation, arguing that it was the actual entity responsible for carrying out systematic and repeated human rights abuses. Unlike similar past cases—such as the Brothers Home case—the foundation in this instance was not dissolved but has continued to operate under different names, reportedly still run by the same family. According to the victims, this continuity makes legal action possible.
The victims assert that Eunha Welfare Foundation is the same legal entity that established Deokseongwon in 1952 and has continued under various name changes, as confirmed by registration records. They also emphasize that the founder’s family remains involved in its operation. Based on this, they argue that the foundation can be held directly liable for past actions.
The lawsuit is primarily based on the concept of “employer liability” under civil law. The victims claim that the director and staff of Deokseongwon committed illegal acts—including assault, forced labor, unlawful confinement, and sexual violence—while performing their duties under the corporation’s direction and supervision. Therefore, they argue that the foundation is liable for damages under Article 756 (Employer Liability) and Article 750 (Tort Liability) of the Civil Act.
At the press conference, the victims stated, “The foundation has continued operating under a different name but has never once apologized to the victims.” They added, “This lawsuit is not just about compensation, but about ensuring that the operating entity acknowledges its past wrongdoing and takes responsibility. A minimum level of judicial recognition is necessary to prevent similar human rights abuses from happening again.”
Some victims have also filed additional petitions for further truth investigations, and the legal and social impact of the case is expected to continue.”
Reporter: News Vitamin (deok1506@daum.net)