Daegu City Council Member Hajung Hwan Criticizes Daegu Medical Center as "Institution Failing to Employ People with Disabilities" ... Employment Rate Only 1.54%

Hajung Hwan, a member of the Daegu City Council (People Power Party, Dalseong District 1), strongly criticized the low mandatory employment rate for people with disabilities and the increasing employment levy at Daegu Medical Center during an administrative audit on November 12. He urged the institution to fulfill its social responsibility as a public organization.

Assemblyman Ha pointed out, "As of 2025, the mandatory employment rate for people with disabilities at public institutions is 3.8%, but Daegu Medical Center stands at only 1.54%, which is less than half the required rate." He further noted, "Over the past three years, the employment rate for people with disabilities has declined, while the employment levy has increased by more than 56%, rising from approximately 110 million won to 180 million won."

Hajung Hwan, Daegu City Council Member

He continued, "While medical centers in major cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Incheon have consistently increased their employment rates for people with disabilities, Daegu Medical Center is uniquely regressing. It is a shame that Daegu Medical Center is listed among institutions failing to meet the mandatory employment requirements for people with disabilities nationwide," he criticized.

Assemblyman Ha also stated, "All institutions under Daegu City pay a total of 600 million won annually in employment levies, yet Daegu Medical Center alone accounts for one-third of this amount, which is a serious issue." He admonished, "It is highly inappropriate for a public medical institution to cover up its failure to fulfill the employment obligation for people with disabilities by paying levies with taxpayers' money." He further emphasized, "Innovative employment models, such as establishing an arts troupe for people with disabilities like the National Cancer Center, should be introduced to create an environment where even people with severe disabilities can work together."

Assemblyman Ha went on to say, "Through the establishment of standard workplaces for people with disabilities or job redesign, suitable positions that connect administrative support, medical record management, and general affairs support with healthcare, employment, and culture and arts for people with disabilities should be actively identified." He urged, "Public medical institutions must set an example in expanding employment opportunities for the socially disadvantaged."

Hajung Hwan also remarked, "I pointed out the same issue in 2023, but instead of improving, the situation has worsened. In a situation where even project execution is difficult due to fiscal austerity, the waste of hundreds of millions of won in budget due to levies incurred by failing to fulfill obligations is a serious problem. This requires deep consideration and fundamental countermeasures."

In response, Kim Sio, Director of Daegu Medical Center, said, "I fully recognize our responsibility regarding the employment of people with disabilities," and added, "We will review various measures to expand employment, including the establishment of standard workplaces."

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Ha has taken the lead in expanding welfare policies for people with disabilities by sponsoring the 'Daegu Metropolitan City Ordinance on Supporting Disability Awareness Improvement,' and is currently promoting the enactment of the 'Daegu Metropolitan City Ordinance on Supporting Standard Workplaces for People with Disabilities' and the 'Daegu Metropolitan City Ordinance on Supporting Cultural and Artistic Activities for Artists with Disabilities.'

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