A group fighting against discrimination against those with disabilities, the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, resumed their subway protest on the 23rd after a two-month hiatus. However, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that he would correct any illegal actions taken by the group. Around 10 activists attempted to board the subway at City Hall Station on line 1 but were prevented from doing so by subway staff and police. The protesters criticize Seoul City’s policies and actions towards people with disabilities. This was the first subway ride protest by the group in 62 days. Mayor Oh shared an article by Kang Sang-soo, a visually impaired pianist, on Facebook emphasizing the importance of not damaging the perception of people with disabilities. The city warned that it would take strong legal action against any group that interferes with citizens’ ability to commute. Later that day, the activist group held a resolution meeting which was met with some clashes with the police.
Attempt to board the line 1 bound for City Hall Station
Some clashes with the police in the resolution convention line
Seoul city warns of strong legal action
While the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeon Jang-yeon) resumed the subway ride demonstration on the 23rd after two months, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon reaffirmed his hardline response, saying, “I will definitely correct illegal acts.”
About 10 activists from Jeon Yeon-yeon held a press conference at 8:00 am on the same day at City Hall Station on subway line 1 and attempted to board the subway for about 25 minutes from 8:48 am. I couldn’t get on because of the subway sheriff and the police.
Jeon Yeon-yeon criticizes Seoul City’s ‘comprehensive inspection of recipients of additional disability activity support benefit recipients’ and ‘complete survey of people with disabilities de-institutionalized’, etc. Jeon Jeon’s subway ride demonstration is the first in 62 days since the triangle region protest on January 20th.
On the same day, Mayor Oh shared an article by Kang Sang-soo, a visually impaired person who worked as a jazz pianist and lecturer on improving awareness of the disabled, on Facebook, saying, “According to what he said, an act that damages the perception of the disabled, which has been built up over a long period of time, is not wise, even from the standpoint of the disabled.” “(Jeon Jang-yeon’s) illegal activities will be corrected,” he said.
Following the previous day, the city issued admission materials on the same day and repeatedly stated, “Under any circumstances, the subway must not stop.” The city is in a position to take strong civil and criminal measures against any group that interferes with citizens’ way to work.
On the other hand, Jeon Yeon-yeon held a resolution meeting condemning the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s target investigation and the launching ceremony of the ‘Seoul City 420 Joint Fighting Group for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities’ on the east side of Seoul City Hall this afternoon. In the process, there were some clashes with the police.
Reporter Jo Hee-sun
The ongoing feud between the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and the Seoul Metropolitan Government continues to escalate. Despite the government’s hardline response and warnings of strong legal action, members of the activist group attempted to board a subway on the 23rd, resulting in clashes with the police. The situation remains tense, with both sides refusing to back down. It is clear that significant progress toward disability rights and greater inclusion still needs to be made in Korea.