Resolving a 40-Year-Long Standing Issue concerning “Publicly Owned Land” at Sejong Leper Colony

- Enabling the land to be used as public parking lots free of charge through the consultation and mediation with Sejong-si and the Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corporation -

(October 12 2023, ACRC)

A long-standing issue regarding publicly owned land, which had persisted for over 40 years among the settlers of Sejong Leper Colony, has been resolved through mediation conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Kim Hong-Il).

ACRC resolved a collective complaint filed by the settlers of Sejong Chunggwang maeul, a leper colony, demanding the resolution of the publicly owned land conflict within the town, during an onsite mediation meeting, presided over by Chairperson Kim Hong-Il, held on October 12 at Sejong City Hall.

Due to the government’s isolation policy and social discrimination, people living with leprosy began residing in the abandoned mining area at San 143, Deunggok-ri, Bugang-myun, Sejong-si (formerly known as Buyong-myun Cheongwon-gun) by refurbishing “worksite restaurants” and cultivating forests and fields, after around 1973. A relatively large leper colony (Chunggwang maeul) was created with the increasing number of leprosy population migrating to the area following the establishment of Chunggwang Church around 1977.

The settlers of Chunggwang maeul built livestock sheds and sustained themselves through the livestock industry. However, at present, most of them are the elderly without a particular income, who receive government grants, living in poor welfare conditions and environment.

The settlers lodged a grievance complaint with ACRC, demanding “the sale or free usage of the city land, specifically 400-12 and 400-13 Deunggok-ri, Bugang-myun, Sejong-si (hereinafter referred to as the concerned land), which they have used for years by paying fees to cultivate forests and fields in order to create parking lots.”

ACRC developed mediated plans by conducting a range of on-site investigations, consulting with relevant agencies, and gathering opinions.

Sejong City has decided to address matters, including the alteration of land category and land registration ledger, to transfer the concerned land into the property of the administration and manage it. The city will directly manage the concerned land by itself by ensuring that the land is used without fees through public projects, including building public parking lots, in order to bolster the rights and interests of settlers and their welfare.

The Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corporation decided to promote housing stability within the leper colony by conducting measurements of the concerned land in accordance with the MOU signed with ACRC and the ombudsman operational plans and to actively cooperate in resolving the complaint, including reducing the measurement expenses.

The settlers will be committed to proactively cooperating to ensure that the concerned land is managed as the property of the administration through the seamless implementation of public projects.

ACRC Chairperson Kim Hong-Il said, “It is considerably meaningful that the recent mediation contributed to resolving the grievances of the residents of Chunggwang maeul, a leper colony, who have faced challenging lives due to social bias and discrimination. We urge relevant bodies in central and local governments, as well as individuals across all social strata, to show their interest and support as understanding towards people affected by leprosy and pan-governmental collaboration and participation are necessary in order to address issues, such as the poor environment and welfare condition within the colony.”