Labor ministry closes national skills contest for disabled workers

The labor ministry said Friday it successfully concluded the 43rd National Skills Competition for the Disabled after a four-day event that identified 113 top performers to represent South Korea on the global stage. The competition, held from Tuesday through Friday at Bexco in Busan, featured 477 athletes vying for honors in 41 job categories.

Medalists included 38 gold, 39 silver and 36 bronze winners, with Heo Su-ho taking the top prize in the electronics category. Winners receive certificates, medals and cash prizes, plus exemption from written and practical exams for national technical qualifications.

The gathering served as the qualifying round for the 11th International Abilympics, scheduled for May 2027 in Helsinki, Finland, where the selected athletes will compete against counterparts from other nations.

Kim Young-hoon, the minister of employment and labor, attended the closing ceremony alongside approximately 500 guests including Kim Kyung-deok, the administrative vice mayor of Busan. "This competition was a meaningful occasion where participants proved with their outstanding skills that disability does not define the limits of work," Kim said. "We will actively support efforts to ensure these technical skills lead to quality jobs through appropriate education and opportunities."