Samgakji Station Chief and Jeonjangyeon Officials Sued for Violating Railway Safety Act

On the 3rd, employees of Seoul Metro surrounded Lee Hyung-sook, chairperson of the Seoul Disabled Independent Living Center Council, who is part of the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon), during a subway boarding protest at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station on Seoul Subway Line 4.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Gu Gi-jeong, the stationmaster of Samgak Station on Seoul Subway Line 4, filed a complaint against a member of the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) who struck him with a wheelchair.

On the 10th, Yongsan Police Station in Seoul announced that they have booked and are investigating a Jeonjangyeon member, Mr. A, on suspicion of violating the Railroad Safety Act on the 5th.

Mr. A is suspected of hitting Stationmaster Gu with a wheelchair at the Samgak Station platform on the 3rd while Jeonjangyeon was conducting a publicity campaign to guarantee the budget for disability rights. At the time, Stationmaster Gu was making an announcement stating that the publicity campaign by Jeonjangyeon violated the Railroad Safety Act. After the collision, Stationmaster Gu sustained an ankle injury and was transported to the hospital. On the 5th, he submitted a complaint to Yongsan Police Station.

A police official explained, "Since the Railroad Safety Act includes provisions related to assaulting railroad workers, a separate charge of assault was not applied," adding, "The investigation has not yet progressed." Meanwhile, it is known that Stationmaster Gu wishes to receive an apology from Mr. A.