Amendments were made to the implementation regulations of the law on protection of the disabled, according to a Cabinet decision adopted in March, said Kim Mun Chol, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Federation for the Protection of the Disabled, at a meeting to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Noting that the amended regulations are aimed at bettering the living conditions of the disabled, he continued:

A joint meeting with the disabled persons took place at the Pyongyang Schoolchildren's Palace in June to mark the National Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The federation has conducted a sample survey to estimate the demand of the disabled for health recovery and their participation in social life.

Teaching schedules for persons with disabilities were worked out, thanks to the universal 12-year compulsory education system. And the 3rd-term course started at the training school for the disabled in May, as part of an effort to intensify professional education for them.

After-school education in music and dance also began this year.

A training course for international sign language was given to the deaf and dumb in the DPRK this year, thus enabling them to have understanding with foreigners.

The persons with disabilities in the DPRK took the third place in the table tennis single and swimming events of the 2014 Para Asian Games. Meanwhile, deaf-and-dumb footballers are scheduled to have a friendly match in Australia.

The federation has also carried on a wide range of international exchanges and cooperation in this field.