Gyeonggi Province is cheering after the commemorative ceremony for the first maturity recipients of the 'Disabled Nureum Account,' implemented to provide asset-building opportunities for young adults with severe disabilities.
Gyeonggi Province has announced the first maturity recipients of the ‘Disabled Nureum Account,’ a program implemented to provide asset-building opportunities for young adults with severe disabilities.
On the 25th, Gyeonggi Province held an event titled ‘Opportunities Dreamed Together with People with Disabilities’ at the main auditorium of the Northern Nureum Center (Gyeonggi Northern Comprehensive Support Center for the Disabled, located in Yangju City), a hub institution for improving welfare services for the disabled in northern Gyeonggi, to celebrate with the Nureum Account maturity recipients.
Previously, in 2022, Gyeonggi Province recruited 1,000 young adults aged 19 with severe disabilities (expanding continuously to ages 19?21 in 2023 and 19?23 in 2024) as participants in the ‘Disabled Nureum Account’ program. For 24 months, the program provided monthly support of up to 100,000 KRW, with the province and local governments matching the amount saved by the disabled participants.
Among the first-year participants in 2022, excluding some who terminated early, most received up to 5 million KRW combining principal, interest, and additional support funds upon maturity of their savings.
Gyeonggi Province expects this program to contribute to asset formation for young adults with severe disabilities who have difficulty benefiting from government and local youth support programs. Most youth support programs target young people with earned income or business income, making it practically difficult for young adults with severe disabilities who face employment challenges to participate.
At the event, a celebration ceremony for the Nureum Account maturity recipients was held with people with disabilities, their families, and workers, along with financial lectures tailored for the recipients.
Notably, the event featured an exhibition of works including ‘Festival of Breath: Balloons Capturing Time’ by Ko Heung-seok, a visually impaired balloon artist, and paintings by Bang Du-young, a deaf artist.
Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, said, "I hope that this small opportunity called the Gyeonggi Nureum Account will become a stepping stone for more young adults with severe disabilities to pursue their dreams." He added, "We support the two years of waiting and dreams of disabled youth and will work together with individuals and communities to develop disability policies that can be felt by both people with disabilities and residents."
Meanwhile, on August 2nd, Gyeonggi Province established the ‘Gyeonggi Northern Disabled Welfare Service Development Council.’ The council consists of 31 members, including the Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation, welfare centers related to disabilities in 10 northern cities and counties, and federation associations. This public-private partnership holds regular meetings to discuss policies for balanced development of welfare services for the disabled in northern Gyeonggi.
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