Seoul City Council member Kim Ki-duk (Democratic Party of Korea, Mapo District 4) announced Wednesday that the compliance rate for mandatory disabled employment among Seoul Metropolitan Government-affiliated public agencies jumped from 50% eight years ago to 83% last year.
According to Kim's analysis of data obtained from Seoul City, only 9 of 18 affiliated agencies (50%) met the mandatory 3.8% disabled employment threshold in 2018. By the end of 2025, 19 of 23 agencies (85%) achieved compliance.
The 19 compliant agencies recorded an average employment rate of 4.33%. Three agencies fell just short of the threshold: Seoul Metro at 3.73%, Seoul Medical Center at 3.67%, and Seoul Institute at 3.06%.
"This result reflects the commitment and effort of 22 public agencies with 50 or more regular employees under Seoul City to comply with mandatory disabled employment requirements," Kim said.
Over the past eight years, Kim has analyzed employment data annually and issued press releases to encourage agencies to eliminate discrimination between disabled and non-disabled persons.
Data on disabled employment and penalty payments over the past three years showed 23 Seoul-affiliated agencies now employ 50 or more regular workers. The number increased from 21 in 2024 to 23 in 2025 with the establishment of Seoul AI Foundation, Seoul Scholarship Foundation, and Seoul Investment Promotion Foundation.
Agencies failing to meet the 3.8% requirement dropped from five in 2024 to four in 2025: Seoul Metro (3.73%), Seoul Medical Center (3.67%), Seoul Institute (3.06%), and Seoul Scholarship Foundation (0%).
Seoul Institute improved significantly from 1.89% in 2024 to 3.06% in 2025. Seoul Metro and Seoul Medical Center came close to meeting the standard.
"Seoul Metro, which has the most regular employees and mandatory disabled hires, and Seoul Medical Center, which is responsible for citizens' health, show clear compliance efforts," Kim said. "I commend all Seoul-affiliated public agencies for their efforts to meet disabled employment requirements."
Seoul Welfare Foundation ranked first at 5.62%. Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, which fell short in 2024 at 3.49% and 2.68% respectively, exceeded the requirement in 2025 at 4.19% and 4.55%.
Seoul AI Foundation and Seoul Investment Promotion Foundation exceeded mandatory rates despite being newly established. However, Seoul Scholarship Foundation, with only 14 regular employees, has yet to hire any disabled workers and requires alternative measures.
Penalty payments for non-compliance declined steadily from 660 million won (12 agencies) in 2023 to 255 million won (6 agencies) in 2025.
"I hope Seoul City and public agencies will continue their tireless efforts to establish disabled employment requirements," Kim said. "I will continue working to expand disabled employment and implement related policies."