Court Dismisses and Rejects Lawsuit for Compensation Claim Against Lawmaker for Disparaging Disabled Persons

Litigation Parties "Feel Frustrated as Parties Before the Power of Their Words"

At 10:20 a.m. on the 15th, Joo Seong-hee (27) and Jo Tae-heung (53), who filed a lawsuit, are expressing their stance on the court ruling at the Seoul Southern District Court.
Photo by Oh Kyu-min moh011@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Disabled individuals lost a lawsuit seeking compensation from lawmakers who made derogatory remarks about disabilities.

The Civil Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Hong Gichan) on the 15th dismissed the request for disciplinary action and the establishment of new regulations against Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeongseok in a disability discrimination relief lawsuit filed by five people with physical disabilities, including Jo Taeheung (53), against six current and former members of the National Assembly (Kim Eunhye, Kwak Sangdo, Yoon Heesook, Lee Kwangjae, Heo Euna, Jo Taeyong) and Speaker Park. The court also ruled to dismiss the claim for damages.

The five plaintiffs with physical, hearing, and mental disabilities filed the discrimination relief lawsuit on April 20 last year, Disability Day, against the lawmakers and the Speaker who made derogatory remarks about disabled people. The current and former lawmakers stated in their responses that terms such as "one-eyed," "lame," "mute who has eaten honey," and "collective schizophrenia" were generalized expressions and that they did not intend discrimination. Former lawmaker Kwak Sangdo's side argued that regarding "one-eyed," they had never seen a person born with only one eye and thought it was a fictional character from cartoons or fairy tales, denying that they insulted the disabled plaintiffs.

The National Human Rights Commission pointed out the lawmakers' derogatory remarks about disabled people last year and emphasized the need for human rights education for the lawmakers and measures to prevent recurrence. Joo Seonghee (27), who filed the lawsuit, said about the ruling, "A single word from a member of the National Assembly or a party leader causes social repercussions," adding, "I hoped that disabled people would be protected by the power of their words, but since that did not happen, I feel frustrated as a plaintiff." Attorney Choi Gapin, the plaintiffs' legal representative, said, "We will decide whether to appeal in consultation with the plaintiffs and plan to hold a press conference in front of the National Assembly on Disability Day, the 20th."

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