Migration Policy Institute Analysis Report
"Amendment of the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act Needed"
The number of foreign nationals residing in Korea who are registered as disabled has nearly doubled over the past four years. In particular, there has been a significant surge in intellectual and autism spectrum disabilities among foreign children and adolescents.
On August 19, Yonhap News reported these findings, citing the Migration Policy Institute's report titled "Status and Implications of Registration of Foreign National Disabled Persons."
The institute prepared its report based on an analysis of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Status of Registered Disabled Persons" and additional data obtained through information disclosure requests. According to the findings, as of last year, out of 905,808 foreign nationals with residency status eligible for disability registration, 8,238 were registered as disabled. This represents an 89.2% increase from 4,354 in 2020.
By age group, the number of children under 10 increased more than fourfold from 40 to 165, and the number of teenagers increased more than sixfold from 26 to 160. The researchers interpreted this as an indication that more children in multicultural or migrant families are being diagnosed with disabilities.
Status of Foreign National Disabled Residents by City, County, and District. Migration Policy Institute Yonhap News
The disability type with the largest increase was autism spectrum disorder, which rose 4.7 times from 27 to 126. Hearing impairment increased 2.7 times from 1,204 to 3,293, and intellectual disability rose 2.2 times from 105 to 228.
The researchers explained, "The increase in non-visible disabilities such as hearing, speech, intellectual, and autism spectrum disorders is linked to the sharp rise in foreign nationals with disabilities under the age of 20." They further noted, "Given the increasing trend in autism spectrum and intellectual disabilities, there is a need to expand early diagnosis and integrated support based on language and cognitive development for children of foreign nationals."
Areas with the highest concentration of foreign nationals with disabilities were mainly in the southwestern parts of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. By city, county, and district, the numbers were: Guro-gu, Seoul (583), Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (519), Ansan, Gyeonggi (488), Bucheon, Gyeonggi (468), and Suwon, Gyeonggi (381).
The researchers emphasized, "Foreign nationals with disabilities account for about 1% of all foreign residents, which is significantly lower than the 5.1% registration rate among Korean nationals with disabilities. Therefore, it is necessary to amend the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act to expand the eligibility for disability registration among foreigners and to strengthen community-based support."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
