"Now Only Sighs..." Another Guide Dog for the Visually Impaired Rejected Again, Awareness Improvement Still a Long Way Off

Another Incident of Guide Dog Entry Refusal for Visually Impaired Occurs
Korean Association of the Blind: "Guide Dog Entry Refusals Happen Every Year"
Despite Multiple Public Discussions, Public Awareness Has Not Improved
"Guide Dogs Are the Eyes and Family of the Visually Impaired"

On April 25, 2018, which was World Guide Dog Day (the last Wednesday of April every year), citizens were walking with guide dogs at the "One Heart Walking Event with Guide Dogs" held by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Guide Dog School at Cheonggyecheon in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "I hope situations where visually impaired people and guide dogs have to retrace their steps no longer occur."

Visually impaired YouTuber Wooryeong shared her story of being denied entry at a popular franchise restaurant while accompanied by her guide dog. On the 20th, she uploaded a video titled "Another Guide Dog Restaurant Refusal... Now I Can Only Sigh" on her YouTube channel 'Wooryeong's Udio,' saying, "Recently, Hayan and I experienced another major guide dog restaurant refusal incident," and "In conclusion, although we entered the restaurant, the process leading up to entry was very difficult."

Wooryeong explained, "An employee who noticed us came out and said, 'Dogs are not allowed.' Even after I explained it was a guide dog, I was told 'No' again," adding, "So I had to engage in a long dispute with the employee, assistant manager, and manager." According to the recording she released, the restaurant refused entry citing reasons such as limited space and the possibility of customers with allergies. They also suggested leaving the guide dog outside the door.

Despite this uncomfortable process, Wooryeong explained why she still tries to enter restaurants that refuse guide dogs. She said, "The reason I try to talk and enter with Hayan at these refusing restaurants is because if we avoid it here, the next guide dog will be refused in the same way, and that will become accepted as normal," urging, "Please join me so that such refusals can disappear."

Such discrimination against guide dogs can be punished under current law. According to Article 40 of the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act, assistance dogs for the disabled are allowed to enter any place without restriction. If entry is refused without just cause to a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog, a fine of up to 3 million KRW may be imposed.

Visually impaired YouTuber Wooryeong posted a video on her YouTube channel "Wooryeong's Udio" on the 20th, revealing a story about being denied entry with her guide dog at a restaurant. Photo by YouTube channel "Wooryeong's Udio" video capture

The controversy over denying entry to guide dogs for the visually impaired is not a recent issue. Similar incidents recur every year and have been publicized multiple times, yet awareness has not improved. In May last year, visually impaired YouTuber Hansol sparked controversy by revealing on YouTube that a franchise restaurant denied entry to her guide dog.

Also, in April 2020, the National Assembly allowed the guide dog 'Joy' of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ye-ji to enter after discussions, and in December of the same year, an incident occurred at a large supermarket in Seoul where a manager shouted while refusing entry to a guide dog, drawing public attention.

Regarding this, Kim Hoon, senior researcher at the Korea Blind Union, sees that public awareness improvement is slow despite ongoing public discussions. Researcher Kim said, "At least once or twice a year, controversies about guide dog entry refusals arise. In the case of restaurants, a fine of 3 million KRW is not a small amount, yet such incidents continue to repeat," adding, "I want to ask whether legal punishment alone can solve this problem. Korea is said to be a developed country, but once a year there is a controversy about denying entry to visually impaired guide dogs. This is really a topic for international news. It's truly absurd."

Researcher Kim further addressed concerns about hygiene raised by restaurants regarding guide dogs, explaining, "There is a prejudice that visually impaired people cannot manage guide dogs properly because they cannot see. However, guide dogs are regularly checked for health, cleanliness, and management status by verified institutions such as the Samsung Fire & Marine Guide Dog School."

He then urged continuous efforts for awareness improvement. Researcher Kim said, "Guide dogs are the eyes, part of the body, and family of visually impaired people. If people thought of them that way, it would be difficult to treat them carelessly (such as refusing entry)," and requested, "I hope the government, media, and others continue to take interest and promote awareness about guide dogs."