Culture Ministry Holds Roundtable on Promoting Sports for the Disabled... Discussion on Utilizing 10.2 Billion Won Supplementary Budget

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will hold a policy roundtable on "Promoting Sports for the Disabled" at 2:00 p.m. on April 15 in the main conference room of the National Sejong Library.

During this roundtable, participants will discuss ways to strengthen support for sports for the disabled by utilizing the first supplementary budget for 2026, amounting to 10.2 billion won. More than 60 attendees are expected, including officials from the Korea Paralympic Committee, representatives from the 17 provincial and metropolitan sports committees for the disabled, and local government officials in charge of sports for the disabled.

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The supplementary budget for sports for the disabled in 2026 includes two main items: an additional 20,000 recipients for sports class vouchers for the disabled (6.2 billion won), and the establishment of a sports infrastructure for disabled children and youth (4.0 billion won).

The sports class voucher for the disabled is a program implemented in partnership with local governments (70% funded by the central government, 30% funded by local governments). The Ministry is requesting active cooperation so that local governments can quickly allocate their supplementary budgets, ensuring that those on the waiting list who were previously unable to benefit due to budget constraints can receive support immediately.

The budget for establishing a sports infrastructure for disabled children and youth has been allocated for the first time. The Ministry, in collaboration with the 17 regional governments, plans to create customized sports environments for disabled children and youth. Facilities such as Bandabi Sports Centers will offer sport-specific programs in swimming, basketball, badminton, and more, while community-based facilities for the disabled, such as welfare centers, will provide tailored programs like new sports, aiming to help disabled children and youth develop regular exercise habits.

In addition to discussions on the supplementary budget, the Ministry stated that it would collect feedback on various field challenges and suggestions regarding sports for the disabled, including the development of customized programs by disability type and age, support for the construction of new sports facilities such as Bandabi Sports Centers, expansion of the placement of sports instructors for the disabled, and support for sports competitions for the disabled.

Lim Young-ah, Director of Sports Cooperation at the Ministry, said, "This roundtable has been organized to listen to the voices of officials working in the field of disability sports in each region. Sports for the disabled is more than just welfare-it is a crucial element in enabling people with disabilities to lead healthy and happy lives. Based on feedback from the field, we will work to promote effective policies that can be truly felt by those in need, including disabled children and youth."

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