Transport Minister Won Hee-ryong: "Government Responsible for Delayed Mobility Rights Improvement Amid Disabled Subway Protest"

On the 2nd, Won Hee-ryong, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, attended the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly and took the witness oath. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 2nd, Won Hee-ryong, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated regarding the demands for mobility rights, including protests by disability groups boarding the subway, "The government authorities bear the greatest responsibility for having delayed fundamentally improving conditions that allow people with disabilities to move freely."

At the parliamentary confirmation hearing that day, Won responded this way to a question from Shim Sang-jung, a Justice Party lawmaker, asking, "Who is responsible for the inconvenience to passengers caused by the protests of people with disabilities boarding the subway?"

Won also said, "I will take a more active interest and make efforts to expand mobility rights for transportation-vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, and will consult with related ministries."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Choo Kyung-ho, the nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, said he would pursue a plan to provide national funding for special transportation services such as call taxis for people with disabilities.