"Exceeding Mandatory Employment Rate for Persons with Disabilities"... OpenHands, Lotte Card, and Others Receive Government Awards

'2020 Disabled Employment Promotion Conference' Held
Awarded Medals and Commendations to 30 Meritorious Persons
"Actively Supporting Disabled Independence Through Work"

On the 16th, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seoul, Lim Wang-taek, CEO of Open Hands, received the Iron Tower Industrial Medal at the '2020 Disability Employment Promotion Conference.' During the event, government awards were presented to 30 individuals, including outstanding employers of persons with disabilities, exemplary workers, and contributors to work performance, along with various programs. (Photo by Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Open Hands, a subsidiary-type standard workplace of Samsung SDS, employs 86% (220 people) of its workforce as persons with disabilities. Since his appointment in 2017, Lim Wang-taek, CEO of Open Hands, has newly hired 40 people with disabilities. Unlike other standard workplaces for persons with disabilities that mainly operate simple tasks, Open Hands has promoted employment of persons with disabilities centered on IT work, resulting in exceeding the mandatory employment rate for persons with disabilities. Efforts have also been made to expand employment of severely disabled and female persons with disabilities, maintaining over 45% of severely disabled and over 38% of female disabled workers. The government recognized CEO Lim’s efforts and awarded him the prestigious Iron Tower Industrial Medal at this year’s Disability Employment Promotion Ceremony.

The "2020 Disability Employment Promotion Ceremony," hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and organized by the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities, was held on the 16th at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seoul. Marking its 30th anniversary this year, the ceremony honors employers who have contributed to promoting employment of persons with disabilities, exemplary disabled workers, and those who have excelled in disability employment work. Originally held every April during the Disability Employment Promotion Emphasis Period, this year’s event was rescheduled to July due to the spread of COVID-19. On this day, 30 distinguished contributors to disability employment received government awards including 8 honors such as the Iron Tower Industrial Medal and Industrial Merit Medals, and 22 commendations from the Minister of Employment and Labor.

The Iron Tower Industrial Medal was awarded to Lim Wang-taek, CEO of Open Hands, and the Industrial Merit Medal was given to Shim Sang-hoon, manager at Shinmyeong Industry. CEO Lim operates job training and an in-house instructor system to strengthen the IT job capabilities of disabled employees. Additionally, he was highly evaluated for efforts to stabilize employment and improve treatment of persons with disabilities through professional psychological counselors for grievance handling, customized welfare systems, and installation of convenience facilities for persons with disabilities. Shim Sang-hoon, the Industrial Merit Medal recipient, is a severely hearing-impaired founding member of Shinmyeong Industry who has devoted about 20 years to furniture production and technology development, contributing to the company’s growth. Shim has won awards three times at the National Skills Competition for Persons with Disabilities and has played a significant role in improving prejudice against persons with disabilities by serving as a member of the company’s personnel committee representing disabled employees.

The Presidential Citation was awarded to Lee Dae-hoon, staff at Cheonsa Nursing Hospital, and Kim Chang-kwon, vice chairman of Lotte Card. Lee Dae-hoon, who has a severe intellectual disability, is responsible for nursing assistant duties and has contributed to improving awareness of persons with disabilities by being selected as an outstanding employee?the first disabled worker to receive this honor?through his diligent and sincere attitude. Vice Chairman Kim Chang-kwon, who hired 43 persons with disabilities last year, has set an exemplary example by actively leading the expansion of employment of persons with disabilities, exceeding the mandatory employment rate.

The event invited awardees and their families but was significantly downsized and conducted in compliance with social distancing guidelines considering the COVID-19 situation. At the end of the ceremony, a congratulatory performance was held featuring a clarinet recital by Dream With Ensemble, Korea’s first performing group of persons with developmental disabilities. Lim Seo-jung, Vice Minister of Employment and Labor, emphasized, "As it marks the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the mandatory employment system for persons with disabilities, the government will strive to further expand opportunities for persons with and without disabilities to work together," adding, "We will actively support persons with disabilities to become independent and dignified members of society through work."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.