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Busan City Launches Full-Scale Support Program for Individuals with Borderline Intellectual Functioning

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Busan Metropolitan City announced that it will officially launch its Support Program for Individuals with Borderline Intellectual Functioning, accepting applications from April 7 to May 6.

This initiative is a collaborative effort with the Busan Youth Foundation and will be operated by the Busan Metropolitan City Social Service Institute (BSSI), led by Director Yoo Kyu-won. The program aims to help individuals with borderline intellectual functioning become self-reliant members of society through a variety of tailored support measures.

The primary objective is to establish a structured support system to facilitate social integration and improve the quality of life and economic participation for this group.

The program consists of two core initiatives:

• 1.Diagnostic Testing Support:
  This service targets 65 individuals (25 children and adolescents not covered by the Office of Education, and 40 young adults aged 18–39) to help reduce the financial burden of diagnosis and proactively identify those in need. Preliminary screenings using simplified checklists will be followed by referrals to certified institutions for full diagnostic evaluation with partial financial assistance.

• 2.Youth Independence Support Program:
  In partnership with the Busan Youth Foundation, this project supports 100 young adults with borderline intellectual functioning (ages 18–39) through a three-month training course covering:

  Following the training, 20 top-performing participants will receive a two-month workplace immersion program to support adaptation and real-world employment experience.

• ○Life skills and soft skills education

• ○Vocational training

• ○Career counseling and consulting

• ○Workplace experience

In addition, the city will support peer groups to help participants share their experiences and seek mutual support. Parent education sessions will also be held to improve understanding and parenting strategies for families of individuals with borderline intellectual functioning.

Interested applicants can apply via the BSSI website (busan.pass.or.kr > Participation > Support Programs). For more details, contact the program office at 051-861-8874.

If the number of applicants falls short by May 6, additional recruitment may be carried out, and selected participants will be individually contacted regarding training participation.

Definition and Background

Individuals with borderline intellectual functioning typically have an IQ between 71 and 84—above the threshold for intellectual disability but below average. This group often struggles with social adaptation and is typically excluded from conventional employment support systems, making them vulnerable to social isolation and economic hardship.

To address this, Busan City will conduct a comprehensive fact-finding survey and establish a five-year master plan to identify real needs and challenges. Based on the findings, the city will develop new support models and build a sustainable, systematic framework to promote autonomy.

Jeong Tae-gi, Director of the Welfare Bureau, stated:

“We are committed to providing systematic and practical support to help individuals with borderline intellectual functioning take their place as valued members of society. Through personalized education and job experience, we aim to empower them to become contributing citizens and create a positive cycle of inclusion and social contribution.”

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📌 Attachments available upon request:

• ●Program Poster

• ●Detailed Program Overview