Incheon: Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Thursday ordered a swift and thorough probe into allegations of sexual abuse at a facility for people with disabilities. Kim made the remark during the inaugural meeting of an interagency task force set up to address allegations that the head of the facility in Incheon, west of Seoul, sexually abused multiple people housed there.

According to Yonhap News Agency, police have launched a special investigation unit to handle the case and have identified at least six victims. However, a survey commissioned by the county of Ganghwa, where the facility is located, found 19 victims, all women in their 30s to 60s. Prime Minister Kim described the allegations as "a clear threat to the most vulnerable people of our society" and a "grave case that questions the reason for the state's existence."

He expressed shock that no institution has taken action over the 10 or so years that the abuse is believed to have taken place, and emphasized the need to treat the case not as an isolated incident but as an opportunity to prevent similar abuses in the future. "I ask (the police) to fully mobilize professional investigative personnel and outside experts to conduct an investigation without sanctuaries, as the life of an investigation is in its promptness and thoroughness," the prime minister said, further noting that those who failed in their duty to check on the facility should be held accountable.

Kim also highlighted the importance of speedily announcing investigation results that would be acceptable to the public, expressing hope that this would demonstrate the government's determination. In discussions with President Lee Jae Myung, it was noted that the President expressed a high level of interest in the case and underscored the importance of a swift investigation.

The head of the facility, surnamed Kim, has been questioned by police and reportedly denied most of the accusations of sexual abuse.