The "Brother's Home" incident in South Korea during the 1970s and 1980s occurred against a backdrop of significant political, economic, and social transformations.
Political Context
- Authoritarian Rule:Following a military coup in 1961, Park Chung-hee's regime sought to suppress dissent and maintain social order.
- Social Cleansing Policies:The government implemented measures to remove individuals deemed undesirable from public spaces, including vagrants and street children.
Economic Context
- Rapid Industrialization:South Korea experienced swift economic growth, known as the "Miracle on the Han River," focusing on industrial development.
- Urbanization Challenges:The influx of people into cities led to increased visibility of homelessness and poverty, which the government aimed to conceal.
Social Context
- Welfare Policies:In the 1970s, the government established facilities like Brother's Home to house vagrants, orphans, and the homeless, often forcibly detaining individuals to present a sanitized image of society.
- Human Rights Violations:Reports indicate that residents of Brother's Home were subjected to forced labor, abuse, and inhumane conditions, resulting in numerous deaths.
Source: THE ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL
This period reflects the complexities of South Korea's development, where rapid modernization efforts were often accompanied by human rights abuses and social injustices.
Additional Resources
For a more in-depth understanding, you may refer to the following resources: