Wanju County announced that it has received an institutional commendation in the cultural sector at the '15th Local Government Productivity Awards,' sponsored by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and organized by the Korea Productivity Center, for successfully incorporating a 'barrier-free culture' into its overall administration.

The Local Government Productivity Awards selects 12 outstanding cases through written and presentation evaluations from 147 local governments nationwide in the fields of economy, environment, culture, and welfare. Wanju County has been continuously receiving productivity awards for four years in a row, continuing its administrative innovation achievements.

Wanju County has been pursuing the 'Wanju Barrier-Free Culture Project' with the goal of creating an environment where anyone, regardless of disabilities, can enjoy cultural arts. Currently, focusing on six core projects, the county is expanding cultural accessibility and enhancing social inclusion. Key projects include the 'Wanju Barrier-Free Exploration Team,' the choir 'Flower' where disabled and non-disabled individuals sing together, a mixed choir of disabled and non-disabled children, and the Wanju Disability Culture and Arts Festival 'Together.'

The county explained that these projects have been recognized for creating a cultural environment where disabled and non-disabled individuals participate together, expanding cultural enjoyment opportunities for the disabled, and indicating the direction of cultural welfare policies.

Wanju County Mayor Yoo Hee-tae stated, "It is meaningful to be recognized for the values of 'inclusion and diversity' in the cultural sector," and added, "We will create a Wanju where everyone can unfold their dreams."

Meanwhile, the Local Government Productivity Awards have been operated as a prestigious ceremony that discovers and awards institutions that have achieved productivity improvement and innovation since 2011.