Kim Tae-jin, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member, "Some Autonomous Districts Lack Budget for Disability Culture and Arts Support"

In 2024, the budget for supporting disability culture and arts in the five autonomous districts of Gwangju Metropolitan City is only 4 million KRW for Dong-gu and 23 million KRW for Buk-gu, rendering the Disability-Friendly City Ordinance ineffective.

According to the analysis of the "2024 Status of Disability Culture and Arts Support in the Five Autonomous Districts of Gwangju" by Seo-gu councilor Kim Tae-jin, following Dong-gu and Buk-gu, Seo-gu has 40 million KRW, Nam-gu 65.2 million KRW, and Gwangsan-gu 90 million KRW.

Councilor Kim stated, "Among the five autonomous districts of Gwangju, Gwangsan-gu, which has the largest budget, is focused on services for the visually impaired, and Nam-gu is concentrated on operating disability culture and arts groups," adding, "The budget for supporting disability culture and arts should be expanded, and projects should benefit a diverse range of people with disabilities."

Furthermore, Councilor Kim said, "Although the five autonomous districts have declared themselves disability-friendly or barrier-free cities through ordinances, practical budgets and policies related to culture and arts are particularly insufficient," and emphasized, "I will take the lead in establishing practical policies to meet the diverse cultural and artistic needs of people with disabilities."

Shin Dong-ho, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy, bless4ya@asiae.co.kr