Ko Jaemin Honored for Exemplary Social Participation
as a Person with Developmental Disabilities
Yangcheon District in Seoul (Mayor Lee Gijae) announced on the 20th that it held an awards ceremony for contributors to disability welfare and hosted various cultural events at Haenuri Hall in Haenuri Town on the 18th to commemorate the 45th Disabled Persons Day.
Lee Gijae, Yangcheon District Mayor (center in photo), is taking a commemorative photo with honorees of Disabled Persons Day. Provided by Yangcheon District.
The commemorative event featured a variety of cultural performances, including a Jindo drum dance by a team of hearing-impaired performers, a magic show, and a singing contest for people with disabilities.
Awards were also presented to exemplary individuals with disabilities and contributors who have dedicated themselves to the promotion and service of disability welfare. The recipients included three people in the "Disabled Person of the Year" category, two in the "Disability Welfare Contribution Award" category, and ten in the "Disabled Persons Day Honoree" category, totaling fifteen awardees.
Ko Jaemin (13), who received the "Disabled Person of the Year" award, has served as the first developmentally disabled class president in the 44-year history of his elementary school thanks to his active participation in class activities. Since 2023, he has also completed the 5km course at the Yangcheon Marathon, serving as a model case of social participation for people with developmental disabilities.
Ko Seongyeong (63), who was selected as a recipient in the "Disability Welfare Contribution Award" category, has worked at the Yangcheon District branch of the Seoul Association for the Physically Disabled since 2014. She was recognized this year for her contributions to improving social awareness of people with disabilities, including protecting their rights and leading social participation campaigns.
Mayor Lee Gijae stated, "I hope that Disabled Persons Day will serve as an opportunity to spread a culture of acknowledging and respecting our differences," adding, "We will continue to strive to make Yangcheon District a better place where people with and without disabilities can live together, ensuring that disabilities do not become barriers."
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