Kim Ye-ji, a member of the National Assembly, has proposed a bill to enhance the accessibility of financial services for people with disabilities.

This amendment bill aims to improve the structural constraints that occur in the process of utilizing financial rights for people with disabilities by making amendments to the "Consumer Protection in Financial Services Act" and the "Act on Financial Transparency and Confidentiality."

While the current law stipulates that financial institutions should not discriminate against people with disabilities without justifiable reasons, cases continue to arise where financial transactions are refused or non-standard responses are induced without considering the types and characteristics of disabilities at financial service counters. In particular, cases where visually impaired individuals are excluded from non-face-to-face identity verification procedures are frequent.

The amendment to the Financial Transparency Act requires financial institutions to provide separate means of identity verification for individuals who are unable to sign or seal documents themselves, such as visually impaired individuals. The specific methods will be institutionalized through a presidential decree.

The amendment to the Consumer Protection in Financial Services Act includes establishing standards and procedures that take into account the types and degrees of disabilities when entering into financial product contracts or performing advisory services, and imposes responsibilities on financial institutions to conduct business accordingly.

Assembly member Kim stated, "The rights of people with disabilities should not be subject to exceptional protection, but should be substantively guaranteed within everyday institutions," emphasizing the need to institutionally regulate the response system of financial institutions.

The bill was proposed on April 25, 2025, and is pending review by the relevant standing committees within the National Assembly. Attention is focused on whether this amendment will lead to practical measures for the financial independence of people with disabilities.