BUSAN — BEXCO, the exhibition and convention center in Busan, is continuing its support for people with developmental disabilities in the city, aiming to help them live independently and take a fuller part in society.
BEXCO said on the 16th that CEO Lee Jun-seung presented a donation to the Busan Metropolitan Welfare Center for the Disabled at his office the previous day, to support Busan Dongbaek FC, a mixed-gender soccer club for people with developmental disabilities.
The 4 million won donation will be used to cover athletic activities and dedicated training costs for the club, whose roster includes 17 players with developmental disabilities from the Busan area.
The company said the donation goes beyond funding physical activity. Sports, it said, help players with developmental disabilities build teamwork and social skills, which in turn lay the groundwork for independent living and for creating real job opportunities.
Sustained participation in sports improves day-to-day adaptability and communication with others, and strengthens core skills needed for vocational training and entering the workforce, according to BEXCO. The company expects that foundation of physical and emotional independence to settle into a virtuous cycle leading to job creation and employment placement.
BEXCO is also working to build what it calls a barrier-free MICE environment that anyone can visit without obstacles. Working with the welfare center, it has supported photo sessions for identification photos used in job applications by people with disabilities. It has also appointed wheelchair users to a BEXCO resident monitoring group, which checks and improves mobility and accessibility inside the exhibition halls before problems arise.
"I sincerely hope the players of Busan Dongbaek FC gain confidence through soccer and go on to live independently as proud members of our society," Lee said. "We will continue to improve accessibility and facilities inside our exhibition halls to help people with disabilities take part in society, and we will actively put genuine ESG management into practice."