The Korea Federation of Organizations for the Disabled (hereinafter referred to as 'KOFOD') elected a new 11th joint representative team at its 53rd extraordinary general meeting on September 25.

The joint representatives of KOFOD consist of a total of 5 members, including Chae Tae-gi, President of the Korea Association of the Deaf; Ko Sun-soon, President of the Korea Association of Parents of the Disabled; Kim Young-il, President of the Korea Blind Union; Kim Jae-won, President of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Association of Disability Welfare Organizations; and Shin Dong-il, President of the Korea Association of Disabled Culture. Chae Tae-gi will serve as the standing representative.

Chae Tae-gi, the standing representative, previously served as the President of the Gyeonggi-do Association of the Deaf (2004-2012) and currently holds the position of President of the Central Association of the Deaf in Korea. He has long been dedicated to advocating for the rights of the deaf community and improving communication environments, leading efforts to promote the standardization and dissemination of sign language to enhance the social participation of people with disabilities.

Ko Sun-soon, a joint representative, has been actively involved in the lives and welfare of families with disabled children for over 40 years as the President of the Korea Association of Parents of the Disabled, caring for families of the elderly and disabled. Kim Young-il, another joint representative, is a professor of special education at Chosun University and has been involved in various roles such as President of the Korea Blind Union and Director of the Gwangju Disability Rights Center, focusing on promoting education and welfare policies for people with disabilities, including the visually impaired.

Kim Jae-won, a joint representative, serves as the President of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Association of Disability Welfare Organizations and the co-representative of the TF Team at the Gyeongsangbuk-do Public Children's Rehabilitation Hospital. He also works as the publisher of the News Gyeongbuk newspaper, striving to enhance the welfare of local disabled individuals and the public nature of the media.

Shin Dong-il, another joint representative, holds the position of President of the Korea Association of Disabled Culture and the standing representative of the Korea Federation of Disabled Culture and Arts Organizations. He has also been active as a director of the National Central Museum Cultural Heritage Foundation, consistently working towards expanding the reach of disabled cultural arts and ensuring cultural rights.

The term of office for the 11th joint representative team of KOFOD will be from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2028, during which they are expected to lead the major policies and activities of KOFOD.

The official inauguration ceremony for the 11th joint representative team of KOFOD will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Irum Center Irum Hall (B1). Those wishing to attend the inauguration ceremony can apply in advance through the official KOFOD website.