The present study aim어 to make some suggestions on future efforts on the development of speci머 education in Korea through analyzing statistical data on the current status of special education in Korea and examining corresponding data in Japan. Data were analyzed as the following areas; ① percentage and number of students with disabilities. ② pecentage and number of students with disabilities according to the types of disabilities. ③ number of teachers served in special school and classroom. ④opportunity of special education for students with disabilities. ⑤ financing and facilities for special education. Results of the analysis and inteTpretation of data on the above areas in both Korea and Japan can be summarized as follows. Firstly, Korean special education has been centered on special classroom, while Japan special education has been centered on special school Secondly, Korean special schools is larger in scale and size than Japanese ones Thirdly, Korean special education is in growing stage, while Japan special education is in stabilized stage. Fourthly, the percentage of private special school in Korea is more than that of public special school. Fifthly, the role of the state in Korean special education shouJd be strengthened.