In the shadows of South Korea's rapid modernization lies a dark chapter of history - the Brothers Home (형제복지원, Hyeongje Bokjiwon). Located in Busan during the 1970s and 1980s, this facility, while officially designated as a welfare institution, became the site of some of the most egregious human rights violations in modern Korean history. So severe were the abuses that Korean media dubbed it "Korea's Auschwitz."
The Origins of Brothers Home
The story begins in 1960, when Brothers Home was established as a modest orphanage called "Brothers Orphanage" (형제육아소) in Gamman-dong, Busan. What started as a seemingly benevolent institution would gradually transform into something far more sinister. As South Korea struggled to present a modern face to the world, particularly in preparation for the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Olympics, the facility expanded its scope beyond orphans to become a detention center for society's most vulnerable.
In July 1975, after relocating to Jurye-dong, Brothers Home signed a contract with the city of Busan, officially becoming a vagrant detention facility. This transformation aligned perfectly with the government's broader agenda of "social cleansing" - a dark euphemism for removing those deemed undesirable from public view.
A System of Abuse
Behind the facility's walls, a horrifying system of abuse flourished. The administration operated under an "army-like chain of command," with inmates organized into "platoons" of 120 people. Those detained included not just the homeless, but also orphaned children, disabled individuals, and even random citizens picked up from the streets without cause or due process.
The abuse took many forms. Physical violence was routine, with inmates subjected to regular beatings and torture. The facility employed a system of collective punishment where entire groups would suffer for the mistakes of individuals. Director Park In-geun himself was known to participate in the abuse, keeping handcuffs and oak clubs in his office.
Perhaps most disturbing was the facility's use of medical abuse. Records show that in 1986 alone, Brothers Home purchased 250,000 tablets of chlorpromazine along with other antipsychotic drugs. These medications were used not for therapeutic purposes, but as a means of chemical restraint to control the inmates.
The Human Cost
The true human cost of Brothers Home is staggering. Between 1975 and 1988, at least 657 people lost their lives within its walls. The bodies of these victims met various fates - some were buried in secret, others were cremated in public cemeteries, and some were even sold to hospitals. Each number represents a life cut short, a family left without answers, a story of injustice that demands to be told.
The International Adoption Controversy
The dark legacy of Brothers Home extends beyond Korea's borders through its involvement in international adoptions. Between 1979 and 1986, at least 19 children were sent abroad for adoption through the facility. These adoptions were part of a larger movement that saw approximately 200,000 South Korean children, mostly girls, sent overseas, creating what is now believed to be the world's largest diasporic adoptee population.
Justice Delayed and Denied
The truth about Brothers Home began to emerge in 1986 when prosecutor Kim Yong-won discovered evidence of forced labor at a logging operation connected to the facility. His investigation led to a full-scale probe in January 1987, revealing the extent of the abuses. However, justice proved elusive. Director Park In-geun received only a two-and-a-half-year sentence, and that was for embezzlement rather than human rights violations.
Legacy and Modern Recognition
Today, Brothers Home stands as a stark reminder of how institutions meant to protect the vulnerable can become instruments of oppression. The case continues to influence discussions about social welfare policy and human rights in South Korea. Recent investigations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2022-2024) have helped bring more details to light, ensuring that this dark chapter of history won't be forgotten.
The story of Brothers Home is more than just a historical account - it's a warning about the potential for institutional abuse and the importance of protecting society's most vulnerable members. As South Korea continues to grapple with this legacy, the lessons of Brothers Home remain relevant for societies around the world.
This article discusses sensitive historical events involving human rights abuses. Reader discretion is advised.