477 skilled workers with disabilities converge on Busan for 41-event competition

Some 477 skilled workers with disabilities from across the country have gathered in Busan to compete in 41 events spanning IT, mechanical engineering and crafts.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor, jointly with the city of Busan, is holding the 43rd National Skills Competition for People with Disabilities from Tuesday through Friday at Bexco, Korea Polytechnics' Busan campus and Busan Mechanical Technical High School.

The 477 competitors, all regional qualifiers representing their cities and provinces, will contest 19 regular events — including computer-aided mechanical drafting, computer programming and precious metalwork — along with 13 demonstration events such as 3D printing and mobile app development, and nine leisure and lifestyle skills events covering data entry and video content editing.

Gold medalists in regular events will receive prize money of 12 million won ($8,920), while silver and bronze medalists will receive 8 million won and 4 million won, respectively. All medalists will also be exempt from the written and practical examinations for the relevant national technical qualification for two years.

The competition also serves as the national team selection trial for the 11th Abilympics International, to be held in Helsinki, Finland, in May next year. The Employment Ministry said it will finalize the national team roster after reviewing results and checking eligibility.

The national competition began in 1981 with 210 participants and 17 events. This year's edition has grown to 477 competitors and 41 events, with the scope expanding from traditional crafts to cutting-edge IT fields and an increase in events for people with developmental disabilities.

Alongside the competition, organizers have scheduled a career and employment fair for people with disabilities, vocational experience programs and an awareness-raising pop-up concert. The job fair will offer on-site interviews, application submissions and tailored career counseling including resume workshops and mock interviews. A barrier-free bus tour of major Busan landmarks has also been arranged for participants with disabilities.

Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor Kwon Chang-jun said the event is "a stage where the skills athletes have honed can lead to better jobs and new futures," adding that the ministry would work to provide tailored vocational training, create quality jobs centered on local communities and build workplaces that are safe and respectful.