The Tragic Story of Brothers' Home in South Korea

Brothers' Home was a facility in Busan, South Korea, that operated from 1975 to 1987. It was meant to help the homeless and disabled people, but what happened there turned into a nightmare. The place became known for terrible abuses and harsh treatment of people. Here is the full detail in simple and easy words for everyone to understand.

Why Was Brothers' Home Created?

South Korea’s government wanted to "clean up" the streets. They wanted the cities to look good, especially with big events like the 1988 Seoul Olympics coming up. So, they told the police to take homeless people, disabled people, and others who seemed "undesirable" off the streets.

The government partnered with private facilities like Brothers' Home to keep these people. However, only about 10% of the people sent there were actually homeless. Many others were children taken from the streets, people who protested against the government, or just unlucky citizens caught by police for no real reason.

What Happened Inside Brothers' Home?

Brothers' Home was like a prison, not a shelter. Around 4,000 people were kept there at one time, and over its 12 years, thousands more passed through its gates. The conditions were terrible:

Forced Labor: People had to work in 20 factories inside the facility without pay. They made goods that were sold for profit.
Physical Abuse: Beatings and punishments were common. The staff treated people cruelly to keep them under control.
Deaths: At least 657 people died from abuse, overwork, and harsh conditions, though the actual number may never be known, as it could be higher due to unreported cases and undocumented circumstances.

Why Didn’t the Government Stop It?

The government didn’t stop it because many officials and police were aware of what was happening but chose to ignore it. The owner of Brothers' Home, Park In-geun, had strong connections with the government, which gave him protection. He even received awards for hiding poor and vulnerable people from public view instead of safeguarding their rights or properly managing the facility. This close relationship with the government allowed the institution to continue operating without interference. And it was supported by the government completely.

When the Truth Came Out

In 1987, a prosecutor named Kim Yong-won investigated Brothers' Home. What he found shocked everyone:

Thousands of people were locked up for no reason.
Children as young as 5 were forced to work.
Brutal abuse and deaths were covered up.

The facility was shut down in 1988 after the investigation. Park In-geun, the owner, was arrested but was only punished for embezzling money, not for the abuse. He served just two and a half years in prison.

Is Netflix's Squid Game Inspired by This?

There is no direct evidence that Squid Game was inspired by Brothers' Home, but some similarities have led people to draw comparisons. Both highlight the exploitation of poor and vulnerable individuals. However, in Squid Game, participants voluntarily enter deadly games for a chance to win money, while at Brothers' Home, people were forced to endure suffering against their will. The resemblance lies in the portrayal of systemic abuse and desperation, but the contexts are fundamentally different.

Final Thoughts

The Brothers' Home is a dark chapter in South Korea’s history. It shows what can happen when power is abused and people’s rights are ignored. By remembering these events, we can ensure they never happen again.

Let’s honor the survivors and those who lost their lives by learning from their stories and standing up for what is right.

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