"Supporting the Training and Professionalism Enhancement of Public Sign Language Interpreters"
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo (left) is briefing on the expansion of welfare support for artists' creative activities and livelihood stabilization since 2020 at the Government Seoul Office Annex in February, while a sign language interpreter is explaining this in sign language. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] On the 13th, Park Yang-woo, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, presented a plaque of appreciation to sign language interpreters at government and local government briefings who are working hard to overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) along with medical staff.
On the same day, while presiding over a luncheon to encourage sign language interpreters in Sejong City, Minister Park said, "I heard that deaf people from foreign countries envy the sign language interpretation at our country's briefings," and added, "Amid the global pandemic of COVID-19, as a leading agent of 'K-quarantine,' I look forward to greater activities from all sign language interpreters."
He also said, "We will support expanding the use of sign language in the public sector and strengthening expertise through professional public sign language interpreter training and expanding sign language video provision for various public notices," and added, "I hope that a sign language specialized broadcasting channel that broadcasts only in sign language can be established." For public sign language interpreters who could not attend the event, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to send letters of appreciation.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism began supporting sign language interpretation at government briefings from December 2 last year. Since February 4 this year, sign language interpretation has been provided at regular briefings related to COVID-19. The total number of sign language interpretation support cases until the end of June was 435, of which 371 cases (85%) were related to COVID-19 briefings.
Sign language interpretation, which started at government briefings, has expanded to local governments, and in the media, instead of showing the sign language interpreter in a small separate screen, the presenter and the sign language interpreter appear together in one screen, ensuring the right to know for the deaf.
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