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Busan Metropolitan City Receives Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation for Excellence in Assistive Device Support Program

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□ Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Park Heong-joon announced that the city has been selected as a recipient of the Minister’s Commendation in the group category at the “2025 Assistive Device Support Program Merit Awards” hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

○ Each year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reviews the overall performance of assistive device support policies carried out by central and regional assistive device centers and local governments, and awards public officials, institutions, organizations, and individuals who have contributed to policy advancement.

□ Busan Metropolitan City was selected as the only local government to receive this commendation, recognized for establishing a robust institutional foundation for assistive device services and strengthening a customized support system tailored to regional needs.

○ In May last year (2024), the city enacted the “Busan Metropolitan City Ordinance on Assistive Device Support and Promotion of Use for Persons with Disabilities, Older Adults, etc.” to establish institutional grounds. Through continuous budget allocation, the city has steadily promoted citizen-centered programs such as assistive device provision, repair support, expansion of charging infrastructure for powered mobility aids, education, and operational subsidies.

○ The city also strengthened close cooperation with the Assistive Device Center to ensure stable implementation of specialized assistive device programs and functional enhancement projects, proactively advancing localized models aligned with the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s policy direction.

□ The award ceremony will be held today (21) at the Royal Hotel Seoul in Jung-gu, during the “2025 Assistive Device Support Program Performance Conference.”

○ The event is hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Central Assistive Device Center, with approximately 130 participants including ministry officials, central and regional assistive device center staff, and honorees in assistive device support.

○ The program includes opening remarks and congratulatory speeches, presentation of the Minister’s Commendation, keynote lectures, regional center performance sharing, and presentation of central and regional center operating results.

□ Jeong Tae-gi, Director of the Social Welfare Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, stated,
“This commendation is a meaningful achievement recognizing our city’s efforts to establish diverse support systems that guarantee independent living and expand mobility rights for persons with disabilities, and to produce tangible policy outcomes in the community.”
He added, “We will continue to expand assistive device support and strengthen collaboration with related agencies including the Assistive Device Center to further reinforce the support system for promoting independence and safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities.”