Jeonjangyeon Resumes Boarding Protest on Commute, Police with Experience Deployed for Relocation Measures

Protests Resume at Hyehwa and Samgakji Stations
Police Implement 'Relocation Measures' Amid Concerns Over Public Inconvenience

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The police deployed officers to facilitate movement in response to the resumption of protests by the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon).

Jeonjangyeon resumed their protest on the morning of the 20th at around 7:40 AM by boarding at Hyehwa Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This marked the resumption of protests one week after their subway boarding protest on the 13th.

Jeonjangyeon held a press conference urging the Ministry of Economy and Finance to immediately engage in discussions regarding the budget for disability rights and continued their protest. They explained the reason for resuming the protest, stating, "They said they would stop the subway boarding protests during the morning commute if practical consultations were pursued, but so far, we have received no response from the Ministry of Economy and Finance." During the relocation process, the police and Jeonjangyeon negotiated and re-boarded the subway together.

At around 8:06 AM, they continued their protest at Samgakji Station by placing ladders on the subway doors. After about ten minutes, the police warned that they would forcibly deploy officers. At around 8:27 AM, the police deployed officers to facilitate movement, during which some disabled activists sustained abrasions.

A representative from Yongsan Police Station stated, "This is an illegal act that can be punished for causing inconvenience to citizens and obstructing work," adding, "If they do not move to allow normal train operation, we will forcibly deploy police personnel."

Meanwhile, Jeonjangyeon re-boarded the subway and is currently moving toward Sadang Station.