Yisang-il, Mayor of Yongin, Requests Ministry of Economy and Finance to Lift 3-Year Limit on Support for Lifelong Learning City for Disabled People

"Restrictions by Ministry of Education Lifted but Business Suspension Feared Due to Government Regulations"
"If Support is Cut, Lifelong Education Programs for Disabled People Will Deteriorate"

Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province has requested the Ministry of Economy and Finance to lift the restrictions on support for lifelong learning cities for the disabled.

On the 26th, Yongin City announced that Mayor Lee Sang-il sent a letter containing this request to Choi Sang-mok, Minister of Economy and Finance, on the 25th.

Lee Sang-il, Yoin Market. Provided by Yongin City

The reason Mayor Lee sent the letter is that although the city successfully requested the Ministry of Education last month to lift the current three-year limit on the "Lifelong Learning City Operation Project for the Disabled," allowing local governments to provide continuous education for the disabled, the project is still at risk of being halted due to government regulations.

According to the city, despite the Ministry of Education's decision, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which holds budgetary authority, maintains the position that "continuing projects are supported for a maximum of three years." If this regulation is not lifted, it will be impossible for the National Institute of Special Education under the Ministry of Education to provide budget support to local governments conducting lifelong education projects for the disabled for more than three years.

Previously, since 2022, Yongin City has been operating customized educational programs tailored to different types of disabilities through the "Lifelong Learning City Operation Project for the Disabled," enabling borderline disabled individuals who face difficulties in forming social relationships or acquiring knowledge and skills to participate in society.

The number of registered disabled persons in Yongin City increased steadily from 33,071 in 2017 to 36,491 in 2020, and reached 37,652 as of the end of October this year. The city insists that educational programs must be continuously sustained to help disabled individuals achieve self-realization and improve their quality of life. However, if the government does not lift the current three-year support limit for continuing projects, the city will be unable to secure funding from next year and will have to suspend related projects.

In the letter, Mayor Lee expressed concern, stating, "If budget support is discontinued, the well-established lifelong education network and programs for the disabled will deteriorate, and the damage will directly affect the disabled." He also emphasized to Minister Choi that "the Lifelong Learning City Operation Project for the Disabled is not merely a lifelong education project but an important social value project that helps disabled individuals achieve social independence and equal rights through welfare support," and requested continued support.