Policies and issues surrounding the identification of students with learning disabilities in South Korea

The definitions and educational policies related to learning disabilities have been updated throughout the last two decades since the passing of the Special Education Promotion Act (1994) in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). In particular, the definition of learning disabilities was entirely revised in the Special Education Act for Individuals With Disabilities and Others in 2008. Additionally, guidelines for selecting students with learning disabilities were introduced by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology in 2010. With the help of special education policies and government guidelines, students with learning disabilities started to receive special education services. However, identification and evaluation of learning disabilities are still controversial issues in South Korea. This study reviews South Korea’s special education policies and practices for identifying students with learning disabilities. This study also provides policy recommendations for improving current practice.