Ganghwa County has come under scrutiny following its decision to deny a request for public disclosure of a detailed investigative report concerning victims of the Seokdongwon sexual abuse case. Officials have revealed that this decision, made just two days after the request was submitted on the 5th of last month, was not guided by independent legal counsel. The county justified its refusal on the grounds that the report constituted investigative material, a stance lacking the support of substantial legal advice at the time of the decision. This raises questions about the accountability and due process within the county's legal framework.

Additionally, the timing of these events reveals a troubling pattern concerning the treatment of sensitive information relevant to ongoing investigations. On the 6th of the same month, Ganghwa County received a response from the Seoul Police that urged them to avoid disclosing materials that could interfere with the ongoing investigation. However, it has come to light that these legal consultations primarily concerned congressional documents, not the specific details of the requested victim information. The county spokesperson has acknowledged that the requests from the victims were omitted from initial legal advisements, which speaks volumes about the procedural oversights and potential biases within the system.

During a press conference, Ganghwa County Mayor Park Yong-cheol criticized the ongoing requests for the report's secrecy made by third-party entities associated with the Seokdongwon establishment. He implored these parties to retract their requests for confidentiality and collaborate transparently in the quest for truth. This incident underscores the complexity of navigating sensitive legal and ethical matters in cases involving vulnerable individuals and highlights the pressing need for reform in how such disclosures are managed in the interest of justice and public transparency.