Jeonjangyeon Ends Subway Boarding Protest... Reassemble at Samgakji Station at 2 PM

Attempted Subway Boarding at Oido and Seoul Station Blocked
Request for Meeting with Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon

On the 20th, members of the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities held a "22nd Anniversary Rally of the Oido Station Lift Fall Disaster" at the Seoul Station platform of Subway Line 4. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) resumed attempts to board the subway at Oido Station on Seoul Subway Line 4 and Seoul Station, but were blocked by the police and Seoul Metro.

On the 20th, around 100 people held rallies at Oido Station and Seoul Station at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively, to mark the '22nd anniversary of the Oido Station accident' and attempted to board the subway. The 'Oido Station accident' refers to the incident on January 22, 2001, when an elderly couple with disabilities fell while using a lift at Oido Station. This incident prompted disability organizations to demand the installation of elevators in subway stations and the introduction of low-floor buses.

They raised their voices, stating that persons with disabilities are also citizens and are asserting their rights as citizens. Lee Hyungsook, Chairperson of the Seoul Disabled Independent Living Center Council, said at the rally, "There is only one thing we want," adding, "We want our right to live as citizens of the Republic of Korea to be recognized."

They also requested a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. She said, "If they do not respond to the meeting request, I will follow them to their homes," and added, "Mayor Oh must also agree to a one-on-one meeting."

They also claimed that responses to disasters involving persons with disabilities are neglected compared to those involving non-disabled persons. Moon Kyung-hee, representative of the Sejong Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, who spoke at the event, said, "When disasters occur, countermeasures are made, but not for disasters involving persons with disabilities," and added, "Many persons with disabilities die horrifically, such as falling to their deaths from subway lifts or being killed by their parents, but proper measures are not put in place."

After the press conference, Jeonjangyeon attempted to board the subway. While police and Seoul Metro staff blocked boarding, no major clashes or casualties occurred. Jeonjangyeon plans to gather again at the platform of Samgakji Station at 2 p.m. that day to hold a 'National Concentrated Resolution Rally for the Enactment of Disability Rights Legislation and Budget Acquisition.'

This attempt to board the subway by Jeonjangyeon came 17 days after the previous one on the 3rd. On the 4th, Jeonjangyeon held a meeting with Seoul Metro and announced that they would not conduct subway boarding protests until the 19th. However, since the requested meeting with Mayor Oh did not materialize, they resumed attempts to board the subway starting that day.