Presidential Office Introduces Sign Language Interpretation for Briefings for the First Time

[Financial News] The Presidential Office fully introduced sign language interpretation for briefings on the 11th to enhance the information accessibility of the hearing and speech impaired. Hiring exclusive sign language interpreters to support the Presidential Office briefings in real-time is a first for any government.
The Presidential Office announced that it began operating sign language interpretation for briefings, starting with the joint press announcement by President Lee Jaemyung and Party Secretary-General To Lam of Vietnam. This measure aims to lower the barriers to national participation for the hearing and speech impaired and to enhance social integration and transparency in government operations.
Accordingly, all briefings held in the Presidential Office briefing room will be simultaneously provided with sign language interpretation, and there are plans to expand the scope of interpretation to major events in the future.
The expansion of sign language interpretation has been promoted based on the Korean Sign Language Act established in 2016, aiming to improve the quality of life for the deaf and increase their participation in social activities. However, according to a survey by the National Institute of Korean Language (2023), the public sector accounted for 62.9% of the areas where sign language interpretation was deemed necessary, and the need for government support was highest, with 86.8% indicating the need for expanded placement of sign language interpreters in public, financial, and medical institutions.
The Presidential Office stated, "Through sign language interpretation for briefings, we will enhance the information accessibility for the hearing and speech impaired and further strengthen the transparency of government affairs," and "We will create a society where no citizen is marginalized, including the deaf who use sign language as their first language."

west@fnnews.com Sung Seokwoo Reporter