Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential primary candidate, proposed a state responsibility system for the care of people with developmental and mental disabilities as part of his pledges for the 21st presidential election. He also promised improvements in transportation facilities to ensure the mobility rights of the disabled and other transportation-vulnerable groups.
The candidate announced support policies for people with disabilities, stating on Facebook on the 20th, “There are those who cannot freely enjoy many aspects of life because they were born with disabilities or became disabled due to accidents.”
The candidate presented several policies for the disabled, including ▲ strengthening individual tailored services for the disabled ▲ expanding special transportation means for transportation-vulnerable groups ▲ implementing a state responsibility system for the care of people with developmental and mental disabilities ▲ creating an education environment without discrimination against the disabled.
In particular, regarding the state responsibility system for care, the candidate noted, “Families sometimes give up their livelihoods to care for family members, and parents, unable to leave their children alone, may even decide to give up their own lives together,” emphasizing, “This must be stopped now.”
He emphasized, “The state will step in to increase the quantity and quality of services to minimize the inconveniences experienced by the disabled and their families,” and added, “We will minimize the care burden on people with disabilities.”
The candidate also stated, “We will advance toward a true Republic of Korea where disabilities do not hinder the dreams and hopes of all citizens or their daily lives,” and asserted, “We must develop policies for the disabled that recognize them as subjects of rights, not mere objects of protection, involving participation from the individuals themselves.”