SEOUL -- The South Korean government has decided to close a school for hearing-impaired students in Gwangju after a movie portraying real-life sexual abuse at the facility set off a public outcry.
In addition, the government will help the students transfer to other schools and inspect schools nationwide for people with disabilities to ensure no misconduct is occurring.
The government scrambled to take the steps after President Lee Myung-bak saw "Dogani" (Silenced), which has been watched by more than 4 million people since it was released on Sept. 22.
Lee blamed public apathy toward the well-being of people with disabilities for the shocking events that occurred at the school.
Lee stressed that South Korean society needs to reassess its attitudes toward those who are less fortunate.
The movie is based on events between 2000 and 2005, during which eight people, including teachers, sexually abused the students repeatedly.
After the movie opened, it was revealed that some offenders received suspended sentences while others are still with the school. This triggered a public uproar and a movement calling for a reopening of the investigation into the case.
In response, the police authorities assembled a special investigation squad to uncover all the facts of the case.
The government also moved to revise the law so that teachers who committed sex crimes and were fined 1 million won (65,000 yen, or $842) or given more serious punishment will be expelled from the profession.
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