Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in South Korea: Current Status and Issues

Abstract

In South Korea, there is no consensus on the definition of emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). This column focuses on how the definition has affected the prevalence rates and services available for students with EBDs. Of the legal, clinical, and educational definitions, the legal definition of EBDs is currently in common use, which raises two issues: First, using this definition results in limitations in terms of interventions for and understanding of EBDs. Second, the definition represents a departure from how EBDs have been used to classify children and adolescents for the purposes of prevention. In short, it was found that administrative adjustments of the legal agents are required and that mutual cooperation is needed between service professionals and reformers. The role of each expert is stressed in the establishment of a concrete definition and service delivery system.