While the overall child population in South Korea is declining due to low birth rates, the number of children requiring special education has steadily increased. This trend highlights a growing need for specialized educational facilities, yet the establishment of new special schools continues to face significant societal hurdles, often rooted in local opposition.
Rising Need for Special Education
Statistics from the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities reveal a significant shift in the demographic landscape of children. Between 2015 and the present, the total number of children under 18 decreased from approximately 8.9 million to 6.6 million. However, during the same period, the population of children with disabilities rose from around 72,583 to over 92,094. This represents an increase of nearly 20,000 children with disabilities, even as the general child population saw a decrease of over 2.2 million.
This surge in demand for special education services has not translated into smoother approvals for new special schools. Instead, societal resistance, often referred to as the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) phenomenon, remains a substantial barrier.
Community Opposition to New Special Schools
The proposed establishment of Dongjin School, a special education institution in Seoul, exemplifies these challenges. Although the initial plan was drafted in 2012, it took until October of the previous year to hold its groundbreaking ceremony, following nine rounds of site reviews and overcoming persistent resident opposition. Similarly, Seongjin School in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, has faced repeated setbacks since its proposal in 2022 due to community resistance.
Despite the Seoul Metropolitan Council approving the new Seongjin School facility in September of last year, with a target opening in 2029, the struggle continues. Online footage has emerged showing parents of students with disabilities pleading for support, underscoring the urgent reality faced by families seeking adequate educational opportunities for their children. This situation echoes the contentious opening of Miral School in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, nearly 30 years ago.
Lessons from Miral School’s Past
The establishment of Miral School, which opened its doors 30 years ago, was met with fierce opposition from local residents who feared a decline in property values. Legal battles ensued, with residents attempting to block construction permits and even construction equipment. Jeong Hyung-seok, the representative of the Miral Welfare Foundation, who spearheaded the Miral School initiative, described this resistance as a “NIMBY phenomenon unseen in developed countries.”
Miral School is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. Jeong recounted the intense opposition during its establishment, from the initial proposal in 1994 to its opening in March 1997. “It was standard to pressure the district office not to issue construction permits, and after permits were granted, they even blocked construction equipment from entering the site,” he said. “We only managed to proceed with construction after winning a court case against residents for an injunction against entry and construction obstruction.”
Current Landscape and Future Outlook
Despite past struggles, Miral School now boasts a long waiting list, with approximately 200 special schools in South Korea. “We receive calls from parents willing to make donations just to secure admission,” Jeong noted, attributing the school’s popularity to its excellent facilities and robust post-graduation employment support services.
However, the core issue of community opposition to new special schools persists. “Residents worry about property values dropping,” Jeong explained. “If this is still happening in Korea, developed countries cannot comprehend it. I can state with certainty that property values do not decrease when a special school is established nearby.”
Overcoming Prejudices and Fostering Inclusion
To overcome these challenges, Jeong emphasized the need to dismantle preconceived notions about individuals with disabilities. “We must first discard the prejudice that people with disabilities have bad personalities or lack ability,” he urged. He pointed to Germany, where visually impaired individuals are actively involved in architectural design and other creative fields, contributing significantly in the age of AI.
Regarding employment for individuals with disabilities in South Korea, Jeong highlighted the potential of companies to focus on the strengths of those with developmental disabilities. While initial training might require more effort, repetitive tasks like copying or cleaning can be performed exceptionally well once a routine is established, without succumbing to boredom.
A Lifelong Commitment to Disability Welfare
Jeong’s involvement in disability welfare spans over 40 years. His journey began in 1981 when, as a dormitory mate with a visually impaired friend who later became a prison governor, he started offering voluntary support. This evolved into a dedicated career.
Initially hesitant to accept a formal role, Jeong eventually founded the Miral Missionaries, a group dedicated to disability welfare and evangelism. “My friend, Rev. Lee Jae-seo, who was the head of the mission, asked me to work formally,” Jeong recalled. “I initially refused because I wanted to become a church pastor. However, the voluntary work continued, and I found joy in assisting people with disabilities, pushing wheelchairs, and sharing conversations. Receiving a modest salary and contributing to society, I came to see it as a calling.”
Family Legacy in Disability Services
His family is also deeply connected to this field. His wife met him while volunteering. His son now teaches at Miral School. The son’s commitment was solidified after attending a camp for students with and without disabilities in middle school, where he was paired with a severely disabled friend who required a stretcher instead of a wheelchair. “I was worried he might run away midway,” Jeong said, “but after the camp, he declared he wanted to work in disability welfare like his father, and he eventually became a teacher at Miral School in 2011.”
The Role of Government and Policy
The Miral Welfare Foundation, which Jeong currently leads, evolved from the Miral Missionaries. The need to establish a formal foundation arose when Jeong noticed that social workers at the mission were leaving within a year because their experience wasn’t recognized due to the organization not being a legal entity. “The government also didn’t treat mission organizations properly,” he stated. “We needed to become a legal entity.”
Establishing the foundation was arduous. From December 1991, Jeong worked for a year to raise 100 million won for the social welfare corporation, managing to collect only 80 million won. However, a turning point came in March 1993 with a call from Rev. Min Byung-wan in the United States. Rev. Min, a former executive at a major corporation who became a pastor after completing his doctoral studies in theology in the US, had purchased a five-story building near Seoul Station with his severance pay. He intended to use the rental income to fund his studies and now wished to donate it. Shortly after, another individual donated 500 pyeong of land in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, which they had purchased for a dermatology clinic. These significant contributions marked the beginning of the foundation’s journey.
Goodwill Stores: A Successful Employment Model
Among the foundation’s most successful initiatives are its Goodwill Stores. These stores sell donated goods from citizens and corporations, with the profits directly supporting the salaries of employees with disabilities. Currently, 51 stores are operating nationwide, generating approximately 50 billion won in annual revenue and employing 500 individuals with developmental disabilities. “The employees are satisfied, and their parents are pleased,” Jeong remarked.
Jeong expressed some concerns regarding disability welfare in South Korea. While acknowledging significant progress in support services since he began, he noted a persistent shortage of professional caregivers. Furthermore, he pointed out the stringent government control over social welfare corporations in Korea. “10% of our Goodwill Store revenue goes to VAT,” he said. “In developed countries like the UK, non-profit organizations often receive VAT exemptions or reductions. Last year, the VAT we paid was around 5 billion won; imagine how many more individuals with developmental disabilities we could employ with that amount.” He stressed the necessity of government collaboration with private organizations in disability welfare, urging the government to listen more closely to foundations and facilities.
Policy Recommendations for Improvement
The discussion also touched upon the need to enhance the public perception of social welfare corporations. Jeong argued that while issues like embezzlement or misuse of government funds by a few institutions must be strictly managed, penalizing all 100 institutions for the faults of one is counterproductive. He proposed a more flexible approach, such as implementing an accreditation system where model institutions are inspected only once every five years, while those with deficiencies undergo annual reviews. “This would allow for greater autonomy,” he suggested.
As Jeong approaches retirement, he hopes to see the Miral Welfare Foundation establish its own buildings. The foundation has operated for over 30 years without owning its properties, currently leasing parts of five buildings, incurring significant annual rental costs. “We are using the spirit of MIRAL – Modesty, Integrity, Respect, Advocacy, Love – as our guiding principles,” he said. “I hope the staff will continue to uphold these values. Building our own facilities is a difficult goal, but given the continuous miracles since the foundation’s inception, anything is possible.”
