Boarded at Seongsin Women’s University Entrance Station around 8:22 AM
Denied reboarding after getting off at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station
On the morning of the 2nd, police officers and Seoul Metro employees are blocking members of the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination from boarding the subway at Line 4 platform of Samgakji Station. Photo by Choi Taewon skking@
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) launched a surprise subway protest at around 8:20 a.m. on the 3rd. Jeonjangyeon had originally announced that they would continue their publicity campaign at the Samgakji Station platform on Seoul Subway Line 4 at 10:30 a.m. that day, but they moved it up by about two hours.
Jeonjangyeon activists suddenly boarded the Line 4 subway at Seongsin Women's University Entrance Station at around 8:22 a.m. After getting off at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, they attempted to reboard but were blocked by Seoul Metro.
However, according to Seoul Metro, as of 8:50 a.m. that day, no subway delays had occurred yet.
Jeonjangyeon stated that they planned to continue their publicity campaign at Samgakji Station at 10:30 a.m. while traveling by subway.
Jeonjangyeon had suspended protests in response to Mayor Oh’s truce proposal on the 20th of last month, but expressed dissatisfaction after only 0.8% of their demands were reflected in the budget passed last year, and resumed protests from the day before.
However, the police and Seoul Metro blocked Jeonjangyeon activists from boarding and alighting the subway based on the Railroad Safety Act, leading to a standoff lasting about 12 hours and 30 minutes, with protests continuing until 10 p.m.
In response to this standoff, Jeonjangyeon representative Park Kyung-seok argued, “According to the court mediation proposal, boarding within 5 minutes should be allowed, so why block it?” but the Samgakji Station chief drew the line, saying, “We have already notified through announcements. Boarding will not be permitted.”
Due to this standoff, 13 trains bound for Danggogae on Line 4 passed through Samgakji Station without stopping. Jeonjangyeon declared they would fight for one night and two days at Samgakji Station, claiming the Metro’s refusal to allow legitimate boarding was unjust, but later gave up and took the subway home.
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