“Children with borderline intelligence who are ‘neglected from support’… A national level support system must be established”

Green Umbrella announced on the 13th that it held a 'policy debate to guarantee the rights of children with borderline intelligence' at the National Assembly Hall in Yeouido, Seoul on the 12th.

This debate was prepared to shed light on the institutional blind spots faced by children with borderline intelligence and to explore ways to improve the systems necessary for growth and development, including early detection, intervention, education, career, and independence support.

In her presentation, Lee Min-kyeong, an associate researcher at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, analyzed the need for support for children with borderline intelligence and suggested policy tasks such as establishing an early detection and intervention system, strengthening individual learning support in schools, expanding community support, and strengthening career and employment support and individual case management. The need to establish a legal and institutional foundation and a dedicated agency at the national level was also emphasized.

In the discussion that followed, officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Borderline Intelligence Research Institute, and academic and media officials participated to discuss ways to build a national-level integrated support system that can continue from childhood to independence in adulthood.

Rep. Seo Mi-hwa of the Democratic Party of Korea emphasized, "The state must take responsibility for establishing a legal definition and basis for support through prompt legislation and a customized support system for each life cycle that continues from childhood to independence."

Green Umbrella Chairman Hwang Young-ki said, "Children with borderline intelligence experience various difficulties in their daily lives, but they are often excluded from public support. We will raise our voices so that related laws and support systems can be established."