Gyeongbuk Province, 41st Disability Day Ceremony... 20 People Including Lee Jin-bae and Park Young-ja Awarded for Merit

On the 20th, at the Gumi Geumosan Hotel, Governor Lee Cheol-woo is seen taking a commemorative photo with awardees at the Gyeongbuk Province Disabled Persons' Day ceremony.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-ho] Gyeongsangbuk-do held the '41st Disabled Persons Day' commemorative ceremony on the 20th at 11 a.m. at Gumi Geumosan Hotel, attended by about 100 people including heads of local institutions and organizations, leaders of disability welfare groups, persons with disabilities and their families, and volunteers.

The ceremony began with a saxophone ensemble performance by the Aulang Ensemble, followed by the reading of the Disability Human Rights Charter, awarding of commendations to exemplary persons with disabilities and contributors to disability welfare, welcoming remarks, commemorative speeches, and congratulatory addresses.

Among the awardees, Lee Jin-bae (74) from Gyeongsan City, who received the Governor's Commendation, has wisely overcome a level 2 physical disability and has taken the lead in promoting disability welfare. Park Young-ja (79, female) from Pohang City was commended for her dedicated support to persons with disabilities through household assistance and companionship volunteering. Including them, a total of 20 individuals were honored with awards.

Disabled Persons Day began when the United Nations (UN) declared 1981 as the 'International Year of Disabled Persons' and encouraged countries worldwide to promote commemorative activities for persons with disabilities.

Our government designated April 20 as 'Disabled Persons Day' starting in 1981, changing from the previously privately-led 'Rehabilitation Day' since 1972, marking the 41st anniversary this year. April was chosen because it is the season when all living things revive, and the 20th was selected to avoid overlapping with many other commemorative days.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated, "With the spirit of 'Sajung Gusaeng' (死中求生), meaning finding a way to live even in the face of death, we will overcome this crisis and create a Gyeongbuk where everyone lives well together through warm welfare for the socially vulnerable," adding, "We will especially do our best to solidify demand-centered support."