[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Disability organizations gathered in front of the residence of Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho to urge the inclusion of the disability rights budget. They argued that the state must actively step up to guarantee the survival rights and basic rights of persons with disabilities.
On the 26th, disability organizations including the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) held the "Intensive Resolution Rally to Urge the Inclusion of the 2023 Disability Rights Budget of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance" in front of Minister Choo’s residence located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around 3 p.m. Despite the hot weather, about 500 persons with disabilities participated, raising their voices demanding the inclusion of the disability rights budget. They also marched through Hanti Station, Seolleung Station, Renaissance Hotel intersection, and Gangnam Severance intersection.
On this day, disability organizations emphasized the urgency of reflecting the disability rights budget. Choi Yong-gi, chairman of the Korea Association of Centers for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities, lamented, "Since the previous government, we have urged the inclusion of budgets related to disability rights, but we still only receive responses that it is under review," adding, "We are in a desperate state right now." Kim Soo-kyung, head of education and public relations at the Korea Association of Centers for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities, who moderated the event, explained the reason for the rally, saying, "We came to the house of the Minister of Strategy and Finance, who is said to be above the president." On this day, Minister Choo received his appointment letter from President Yoon Seok-youl.
They also stressed that this is a matter of survival. On the 23rd, it was reported that a woman in her 60s, Ms. A, in an apartment in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, gave sleeping pills to her daughter Ms. B, a woman in her 30s with a severe brain lesion disability classified as grade 1, causing her death. Disability organizations claim that the background of such an incident lies in the state's neglect.
Yoon Jong-sul, chairman of the National Parents’ Solidarity for Persons with Disabilities, said, "Mothers killing their children, being beaten in facilities, and being socially isolated is the reality for persons with disabilities," adding, "South Korea is neither a state nor a society." Chairman Choi also said, "This is related to the right to survival," emphasizing, "It is necessary to reduce the burden on families and allow persons with disabilities to do what they want and exercise decision-making rights."
Meanwhile, the National Parents’ Solidarity for Persons with Disabilities set up a memorial altar for the victims of the developmental and severe disability disaster at the Samgakji Station platform in Seoul on the morning of the same day and held a memorial service. During the installation of the altar, they clashed with subway security officers. One member of the National Parents’ Solidarity for Persons with Disabilities showed symptoms of hyperventilation and was transported to a nearby hospital, but it is reported that their life is not in danger.
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