Professor Lee Kyuhwan of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital Wins Outstanding Disabled Person Award

[Suwon Ilbo=Park Nohun Reporter] Gyeonggi Province has selected Professor Lee Kyuhwan of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, employee Jeong Hwanseok of Canaan Disabled Workers Welfare Center, and chairman Choi Manseok of Namyangju Physical Disability Association as recipients of the 19th Outstanding Disabled Person Award.

The Outstanding Disabled Person Award is an honor established since 2001 to discover and encourage people with disabilities who consistently strive to realize their dreams despite limited circumstances, achieve self-reliance, and engage in exemplary social activities.

Professor Lee Kyuhwan of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital became a person with an acquired disability due to an unexpected accident but became a dentist through tireless effort and has been working as a professor at the Dental Clinic of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital since 2005. Professor Lee has continued to conduct educational programs and lectures at disabled persons' organizations and welfare centers in the province to promote oral health and rehabilitation for people with disabilities, and has actively taken the lead in supporting others by donating oral health management products. He was selected as a recipient in recognition of his efforts to realize his dreams and his exemplary activities.

Employee Jeong Hwanseok of Canaan Disabled Workers Welfare Center was highly evaluated for his dedicated work over a long period at a disabled workers workshop that manufactures remanufactured toner cartridges. According to the 2018 Survey on Economic Activities of Persons with Disabilities, the average length of service for regular wage-earning workers with disabilities is approximately 7 years and 9 months; however, employee Jeong has worked at Canaan Disabled Workers Welfare Center for over 17 years since 2002, demonstrating excellent job skills in the remanufactured cartridge process and contributing to improving product quality. Employee Jeong's dedicated work serves as an inspiration to his workplace colleagues and has played a significant role in improving perceptions of people with disabilities.

Chairman Choi Manseok of Namyangju Physical Disability Association was selected as a recipient in consideration of his continued efforts to promote welfare for people with disabilities and his dedicated volunteer service, including opening a civil complaint consultation center for the disabled, operating a prosthetic device repair center for people with disabilities, providing free meal services for the disabled, and promoting disability awareness education and cultural classes.

Gyeonggi Province plans to actively invite the three Outstanding Disabled Persons to lectures and educational programs in the province to share stories of hope and effort. Additionally, on April 20th, in celebration of the 40th Day for Persons with Disabilities, the province plans to recognize and commend 8 public officials and 45 private citizens for their contributions to disabled welfare.