Gyeonggi Province faces potential elimination of disability public job budget

Disability rights advocates and artists are expressing deep distress following reports that Gyeonggi Province may cut the budget for its rights-centered public job program from 12.7 billion won to zero by 2027. The program currently provides customized employment for approximately 880 people with severe disabilities, focusing on areas such as cultural arts, rights advocacy, and disability awareness.

Artist Seo Eun-hye, known for her work in the drama ‘Our Blues’, shared emotional footage of herself and colleagues reacting to the potential loss of livelihood. Fellow artist Lee Chan-woo highlighted the personal stakes, noting that his income supports his family and helps cover his mother’s medical expenses following her battles with cancer. He described the prospect of losing these jobs as a threat to the basic survival of disabled citizens.

During a recent National Assembly audit, officials discussed the possibility of these cuts. Gyeonggi Province leadership indicated that severe financial difficulties have made it increasingly difficult to maintain various welfare services, including disability support and independent living programs.