Busan needs tailored policies to boost employment of people with disabilities, forum hears

Policies tailored to local industrial structure and labor market conditions are needed to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Busan, experts said Wednesday.

The Employment Development Institute of the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities held its 64th EDI Policy Forum at the Haeundae Centum Hotel in Busan on Wednesday, focusing on ways to promote disability employment in the region.

Held as a side event to the 43rd National Skills Competition for Persons with Disabilities, the forum drew officials and researchers from public institutions, research organizations and businesses involved in disability employment.

Lee Su-yong, a research fellow at the institute, delivered the keynote presentation, assessing the state of disability employment in Busan and outlining policy directions suited to the city's characteristics.

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Roh Beop-rae, a professor in the Department of Social Welfare at Pukyong National University, and featuring Kim Dae-gyu, head of the agency's Busan regional office; Kim Du-rye, a senior research fellow at the Busan Research Institute; Cho Jeong-ho, chief executive of NCsoft Service; and Son Jeong-won, head of Chajeum at the Center for Social Rights Research.

Participants discussed ways to expand job opportunities for people with disabilities in line with Busan's industrial structure and labor market conditions, as well as measures to create a stable employment environment and strengthen cooperation among regional stakeholders — including public institutions, businesses and research organizations.

Lee Dong-yeong, director of the Employment Development Institute, said the forum's on-the-ground perspectives would be actively incorporated into future research. "We will continue to identify policy alternatives suited to local conditions and contribute to expanding stable employment and improving the working environment for people with disabilities," he said.