Spat On and Death Threats Daily: The Unsung Heroes Treating Mentally Ill Offenders in Korea

The Hidden Heroes of Korea's Criminal Justice System

Behind the walls of Korea's National Forensic Hospital, a group of dedicated public servants face one of the most challenging jobs in the country. These mental health professionals work with individuals who have committed serious crimes while suffering from mental illness, providing treatment and rehabilitation in an environment where being spat on, threatened with death, and facing physical violence is considered just another day at work. Yet, they continue their mission with unwavering dedication, believing that even those who have committed the most heinous acts deserve a chance at recovery and redemption.

The National Forensic Hospital stands as Korea's only facility dedicated to treating offenders who have been court-ordered to receive psychiatric treatment instead of traditional imprisonment. This unique institution represents a progressive approach to criminal justice, one that recognizes mental illness as a contributing factor to criminal behavior and seeks to address the root causes rather than simply punishing the symptoms. The work done here is not just about individual treatment—it's about protecting society by ensuring that those who are released are genuinely rehabilitated and less likely to reoffend.

Understanding Treatment Custody: A Different Approach to Justice

Treatment custody, or 치료감호 in Korean, represents a fundamental shift in how society approaches crime committed by individuals with severe mental illness. Unlike traditional imprisonment, treatment custody focuses on psychiatric intervention, medication management, and comprehensive rehabilitation programs. This approach recognizes that punishment alone cannot address the underlying mental health issues that may have contributed to criminal behavior.

The process begins when courts determine that an offender's mental state at the time of the crime warrants medical intervention rather than standard incarceration. These individuals are then sent to the National Forensic Hospital, where they undergo extensive psychiatric evaluation and receive individualized treatment plans. The goal is not just to manage symptoms but to achieve genuine recovery that allows for safe reintegration into society. This system reflects Korea's growing understanding of mental health issues and represents a more humane and effective approach to dealing with mentally ill offenders.

Daily Challenges: Violence, Threats, and Unwavering Commitment

Dr. Seong Myeong-je, a psychiatrist at the National Forensic Hospital, describes the daily reality of working with patients who may become violent without warning. Staff members regularly face verbal abuse, physical threats, and actual violence from patients who may be experiencing psychotic episodes or struggling with the reality of their situation. Being spat on is so common that it's barely worth mentioning, while death threats and attempts at physical harm are unfortunate but expected occupational hazards.

Despite these challenges, the medical and support staff maintain their commitment to treatment. Clinical psychologist Kim Seol-hwan and occupational therapist Song Gang-sik work alongside Dr. Seong to provide comprehensive care that addresses not just the immediate symptoms of mental illness but also the underlying trauma, social factors, and behavioral patterns that contributed to the criminal behavior. Their work requires not just professional expertise but also extraordinary emotional resilience and a deep belief in the possibility of human redemption and recovery.

The Treatment Process: From Crisis to Recovery

The treatment process at the National Forensic Hospital is comprehensive and multifaceted, involving medication management, individual and group therapy, occupational therapy, and social rehabilitation programs. Patients typically spend several years in treatment, with the length of stay determined by their progress toward recovery and the assessment of their risk to public safety.

The initial phase focuses on stabilizing acute psychiatric symptoms through medication and crisis intervention. As patients stabilize, the treatment expands to include psychotherapy aimed at helping them understand their illness, develop coping strategies, and take responsibility for their actions. Occupational therapy helps patients develop practical skills and work habits that will be essential for successful reintegration into society. Throughout this process, staff members must balance compassion with vigilance, providing support while maintaining safety protocols that protect both patients and staff.

Community Reactions and Online Discourse

Public reaction to the work done at the National Forensic Hospital is mixed, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward mental illness and criminal justice. Online communities on platforms like Naver and Daum show a range of opinions, from those who support the rehabilitative approach to others who question whether resources should be spent on treating criminals rather than preventing crime.

Some netizens express admiration for the dedication of the hospital staff, recognizing the difficulty and importance of their work. Comments often praise the courage required to work with dangerous individuals and the commitment to treating all patients with dignity regardless of their crimes. However, others express skepticism about the effectiveness of treatment, questioning whether truly dangerous individuals can be rehabilitated and whether the risk to public safety is worth the attempt at treatment. These discussions reflect broader cultural tensions between traditional punitive approaches to crime and more progressive rehabilitative models.

Cultural Context: Mental Health Stigma in Korean Society

Understanding the work of the National Forensic Hospital requires recognizing the broader cultural context of mental health in Korean society. Despite significant progress in recent years, mental illness still carries substantial stigma in Korea, with many people viewing psychiatric conditions as personal failings rather than medical conditions requiring treatment.

This stigma is particularly pronounced when mental illness intersects with criminal behavior. Many Koreans struggle to accept the idea that someone who has committed a serious crime might be genuinely ill rather than simply evil or morally corrupt. The staff at the National Forensic Hospital must work not only to treat their patients but also to educate the broader community about the relationship between mental illness and criminal behavior. Their work challenges traditional notions of justice and responsibility, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of human behavior and the factors that contribute to crime.

The Broader Impact: Public Safety and Social Progress

The work done at the National Forensic Hospital has implications that extend far beyond the treatment of individual patients. By successfully rehabilitating mentally ill offenders, the hospital contributes to public safety by reducing recidivism rates and preventing future crimes. Studies have shown that individuals who receive appropriate mental health treatment are significantly less likely to reoffend compared to those who are simply imprisoned without treatment.

Moreover, the hospital serves as a model for progressive criminal justice reform, demonstrating that it is possible to balance public safety with humane treatment of offenders. The success of the treatment custody system has influenced policy discussions about criminal justice reform and has contributed to growing acceptance of mental health considerations in legal proceedings. The dedication of the hospital staff serves as an inspiration for others working in challenging public service roles, showing that it is possible to maintain hope and compassion even in the most difficult circumstances.

Looking Forward: The Future of Forensic Mental Health in Korea

As Korean society continues to evolve in its understanding of mental health and criminal justice, the work of the National Forensic Hospital becomes increasingly important. The hospital staff continue to advocate for expanded resources, improved treatment protocols, and greater public understanding of their mission. They recognize that their work is not just about treating individual patients but about building a more just and compassionate society.

The challenges they face—from daily violence and threats to public skepticism and resource constraints—are significant, but their commitment remains unwavering. They understand that their work represents hope for some of society's most vulnerable and dangerous individuals, and that their success or failure has profound implications for public safety and social justice. As Dr. Seong notes, they may not be superheroes, but they are the guardians of our daily lives, working tirelessly to heal the broken and protect the innocent through the power of compassionate, professional treatment.