The Ministry of Health and Welfare, along with the National Human Rights Commission and Ulsan city officials, have confirmed a joint investigation into Bangudae Hospital in Ulsan, South Korea. This facility has been under scrutiny due to incidents of severe violence against patients with disabilities, including homicides that took place in 2022 and again in 2024. This joint investigation represents a significant first, as it specifically targets one mental health institution. The team of 15 investigators focused on the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the hospital's treatment and conditions for patients.

Previous investigations highlighted serious issues regarding human rights violations at Bangudae Hospital. Notably, an investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health in late 2024 revealed that patients had been held in isolation rooms for an alarming 1,151.7 hours, far exceeding the limits set by regulations. Furthermore, inspections by the Human Rights Commission indicated unsanitary and inhumane conditions, which raised significant concerns about patient care. The tragic deaths of two individuals with intellectual disabilities due to violence from other patients intensified calls for a thorough investigation, leading to the current joint inquiry.

Complicated by earlier attempts by the Human Rights Commission to initiate an investigation that were obstructed by the hospital, this new effort aims to address patient-on-patient violence, the management of patient isolation, and surveillance practices through CCTV. Officials have confirmed they will rigorously assess the hospital's practices and the institutional environment, which have long been seen as contributing factors to the neglect and abuse of vulnerable patients, ultimately striving to protect the rights and well-being of individuals in mental health care settings.