Kang Ki-jung Joins 'With the Fifteen' Challenge in Celebration of Disability Day

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Kang Ki-jung, the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, joined the global disability awareness campaign ‘WeThe15’ on the occasion of Disability Day on the 20th.

Candidate Kang plans to actively work for the dignified life of people with disabilities not only by participating in this challenge but also through policy announcements.

On the 18th, Candidate Kang posted a certification photo of participating in the WeThe15 challenge on SNS, stating, “It is said that 15% of our neighbors are people with disabilities,” and added, “Please join us in opening a new era in Gwangju where everyone lives healthily and happily without discrimination.”

#WeThe15 is a global campaign meaning ‘people with disabilities make up 15% of the world’s population,’ organized by about 20 institutions including the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the International Disability Alliance (IDA), a global NGO, and UN-affiliated organizations.

The 15% includes not only developmental, visual, intellectual, physical, and hearing disabilities but also those with sensory, social, and psychological difficulties that limit equal social participation.

The hand gesture in the photo represents the number ‘15’ in sign language for the WeThe15 challenge. Bending the index finger means 10, and extending the thumb means 5.

Candidate Kang nominated the following preliminary candidates for mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City who declared their candidacy to continue the WeThe15 challenge: Lee Yong-seop (Democratic Party), Joo Ki-hwan (People Power Party), Jang Yeon-ju (Justice Party), Moon Hyun-chul (Basic Income Party), and Kim Joo-eop (Progressive Party).

Candidate Kang said, “Improving disability awareness is a great support for people with disabilities to live as members of society,” and added, “I hope this challenge will be actively carried out not only by candidates for mayor of Gwangju but also within the local community, becoming a small but precious step toward improving disability awareness.”

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