Ministry of Health and Welfare to audit Banguidae Hospital operator

South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced a special audit of Donghyangwon, the social welfare corporation that operates Banguidae Hospital. The audit is scheduled to take place from August 24 to September 4, covering four facilities under the corporation, including Dongwon Rehabilitation Center, Dongyeon Nursing Home, and Dongwon Vocational Rehabilitation Center.

The decision follows controversy surrounding Banguidae Hospital, a psychiatric facility where more than half of the patients have intellectual disabilities. The hospital recently decided to close urgently following a series of patient deaths, including a recent incident in a ward. The hospital’s director and administrative director have been referred to the prosecution on charges of professional negligence resulting in death.

The audit will examine the management of public finances, accounting, and welfare benefits from 2021 to 2026. Donghyangwon has previously faced allegations of nepotism, accounting irregularities, and human rights violations. Lawmaker Seo Mi-hwa has called for the investigation to expand beyond the corporation to address broader issues regarding the treatment and confinement of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in psychiatric hospitals.