Jeonjangyeon Clashes with Police over Tent Installation at Samgakji Station on Line 4

On September 5th, representatives from the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination held a press conference at the Samgakji Station platform of Seoul Subway Line 4 in Yongsan-gu before their subway boarding protest during the morning commute. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) clashed with the police during the installation of a tent.

On the 21st, Jeonjangyeon clashed with police who tried to stop them while installing a tent for a sit-in protest to secure the budget for disability rights in front of the platform at Samgak Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. Around 2:45 p.m., Park Kyung-seok, co-executive director of Jeonjangyeon, and some members arrived at Samgak Station by subway and attempted to get off with the tent. A physical altercation occurred as police and subway security officers from Seoul Metro tried to prevent them.

During this process, a large commotion ensued as citizens boarding and alighting the subway, Jeonjangyeon members, and police officers became entangled, causing a delay of about 18 minutes in the operation of trains heading toward Danggogae on Line 4. Jeonjangyeon eventually reached an agreement with the Metro Corporation to set up the tent in front of the ticket gate instead of on the platform, bringing the situation to a close. It is reported that no Jeonjangyeon members have been booked by the police so far.

Jeonjangyeon plans to continue the tent sit-in protest until the budget for disability rights is reflected in next year's finalized budget. The head-shaving ceremony and subway publicity campaign will also be maintained. Jeonjangyeon has decided to temporarily suspend the subway boarding protests during the morning commute, which had been criticized for causing inconvenience to citizens. However, they have announced that on December 2, one day before the 'International Day of Persons with Disabilities' (December 3), persons with disabilities nationwide will come to Seoul for a large-scale boarding protest for one day.