The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has adequate material foundations as well as legal and institutional regimes for promoting the health and life of persons with disabilities.

In June 2003 the Law of the DPRK on the Protection of the Disabled was adopted and later amended and supplemented several times. In September last year the Law of the DPRK on Ensuring the Rights of the Disabled was adopted to provide a legal guarantee for better protecting the disabled amid social concern.

In November 2016 a convention on the rights of persons with disabilities was signed. In accordance with the convention the DPRK has promoted the rights and convenience of the disabled and intensified international cooperation.

Schools for the deaf and blind have been set up in different parts of the country. Under the universal 12-year compulsory education on-screen, audio and text dialogue service is in place for the schools for the handicapped.

The Korean Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disabilities and the Korean Vocational Training School for the Disabled are in good operation. Meanwhile, the efforts to set up more facilities to protect the disabled and improve the existing conditions go on steadily.

Under the national rehabilitation system people with disabilities receive relevant service at sanatoria. For example, the Munsu Rehabilitation Clinic in Pyongyang is a comprehensive centre for such people.

Pyongyang International Airport and Sci-Tech Complex have a check zone and reading space exclusively for the handicapped. Similar facilities are available in other structures in the country.

In addition, there are permanent organizations for the disabled such as Korean Art Association of the Disabled and Korean Sports Association of the Disabled, both with a mission to champion the rights of the disabled to artistic and sports activities and help them cultivate their talents.

The disabled people bring their talents into full bloom at such organizations and achieve successes that stimulate social development and bring glory to their country.

The country is pervaded with a climate of helping the disabled with all sincerity. On every National Day (June 18) of Persons with Disabilities and International Day (December 3) of Persons with Disabilities, various events take place to mark those days as significant occasions in protecting the disabled.

Successes and experiences gained in the protection of the disabled are summed up and the tasks and methods for developing the work are discussed.

Those days are also highlighted by the sports activities and artistic performances by the handicapped sportspersons and amateurs.

Their lively and cheerful appearance adds zeal to the mass-based activity for the protection of the disabled and fills their socialist country with warm humanity.

Yang Ryon Hui