[On-site Video] "Yoon Transition Team, Parrots" vs "Smearing Disability Awareness" Disability Groups Clash Over 'Protest Methods'

[Asia Economy PD Yoon Jin-geun, Reporter Kang Woo-seok] “(The Yoon Seok-yeol transition team's response) was nothing more than a parrot-like repetition.” (Park Kyung-seok, Co-Chairperson of the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination)

“(The Jeonjangyeon protests) are smearing efforts to improve public perception of people with disabilities.” (Kim Rak-han, President of the Korea Federation of Organizations of the Disabled)

On the 21st, the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon) resumed their subway protests during the morning commute. On the same day, the Korea Federation of Organizations of the Disabled (Kangchongryeon) held a rally criticizing Jeonjangyeon's protest and response methods.

Jeonjangyeon began their morning commute rally at 7 a.m. at Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, urging the guarantee of budget for disability rights, while apologizing to citizens by saying, “We are sorry to the citizens.” They criticized the Presidential Transition Committee for not guaranteeing the securing of the disability rights budget, stating, "Whether it was the previous Park Geun-hye government, the Lee Myung-bak government, or the two-party governments that ruled for 20 years before, it was nothing more than parrot-like repeated talk.”

Participants in the Jeonjangyeon rally pointed out that politicians seek out people with disabilities when needed but evade responsibility when people with disabilities demand their rights. They said, "The transition team talks about (disability rights) as their share in their power struggle, but when it comes to the disability rights budget, they pass the buck saying 'It's not our responsibility,'” adding, “This is the current state of politics and power.”

During Jeonjangyeon's boarding process at Gyeongbokgung Station, train operations were somewhat delayed. During this, some subway passengers protested against subway security officers and Jeonjangyeon. One citizen protested, "What are you doing now? Are we not human?"

Meanwhile, another disability organization, the Korea Federation of Organizations of the Disabled (Kangchongryeon), held a rally near the Yeouido Irum Center at 11 a.m. on the same day, condemning Jeonjangyeon's morning subway protests and urging them to “immediately stop the illegal subway protests.”

Kangchongryeon expressed concern that Jeonjangyeon's subway protests during the morning commute worsen public perception of people with disabilities. Kim Rak-han, president of Kangchongryeon, said, "I 100% support the Disability Rights Guarantee Act,” but criticized, “(Jeonjangyeon) goes to the crowded subway in the morning, blocks the doors, prevents trains from running, and smears efforts to improve public perception of people with disabilities.”

Kangchongryeon criticized Jeonjangyeon for acting as if they represent people with disabilities through TV debates and other means. Kim further said, "The government just needs to talk to me (Jeonjangyeon)! They are just messing around,” using strong language.

Kangchongryeon emphasized that Jeonjangyeon should not act unilaterally but should seek reasonable protest methods through agreement and solidarity with other disability organizations. Kim said, “I hope (Jeonjangyeon) would have dialogue with other disability organizations,” adding, “Jeonjangyeon should not act alone but should co-sign and work together with the Federation of Organizations of the Disabled to reach an agreement on the right way forward.”

Kangchongryeon criticized Jeonjangyeon for installing a container in front of the Yeouido Irum Center, which is jointly used by disability organizations, and responded by installing a container themselves. Regarding this, Choi Jeong-heon, president of the Korea Transportation Disabled Busan Metropolitan Association, said, "This place (Irum Center) is for official events, simple cultural events, and socializing among people with disabilities,” adding, “(Jeonjangyeon) is causing great inconvenience to disability organizations and citizens inside the Irum Center by installing a temporary building here.” Choi said, “We installed this to show how much inconvenience (Jeonjangyeon) is causing.”