Disability Groups Occupy Rep. Lee Jong-seong's Office Overnight... "We Will Hold Civil and Criminal Liability"

Activists from the Korea Disabled Independent Living Center Council
About 10 Entered and Occupied a Lawmaker's Office the Previous Afternoon

The nationwide coalition for the elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) affiliated disability organizations opposed the amendment to the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities and entered the National Assembly office of Lee Jong-seong, a member of the People Power Party and the bill proposer, staging an overnight sit-in protest.

According to Lee Jong-seong's office on the 22nd, about 10 activists belonging to the Korea Association of Centers for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities (Hanjahyeop) entered Lee's office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building around 4 p.m. the previous day. They held the protest until National Assembly security staff intervened, after which they voluntarily withdrew around 10 a.m. that day.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hanjahyeop launched this occupation protest opposing the amendment to the Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, which was passed by the 2nd Subcommittee of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day. The amendment mainly includes incorporating Centers for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities into welfare facilities for persons with disabilities under the current law. The purpose is to enhance transparency in management and supervision, such as accounting and auditing, of welfare facilities for persons with disabilities.

Hanjahyeop is concerned that the amendment did not sufficiently gather opinions from the disability community and that if the Centers for Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities are incorporated into welfare facilities, the strengthened operational standards will cause difficulties.

Lee Jong-seong stated that he would hold Hanjahyeop civilly and criminally liable. At a press conference held at the National Assembly that morning, Lee criticized, "Despite knowing that the Welfare Committee's bill subcommittee was in session all day without prior notice, they forcibly entered the member's office, plastered flyers all over the office, sat on the legislator's chair, rummaged through drawers and bags, and illegally accessed the legislator's personal computer."

Lee added, "The majority of lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties agree with the bill defining Centers for Independent Living as welfare facilities for persons with disabilities, and the government also recognizes the policy necessity. We will take all measures to ensure that Hanjahyeop bears not only civil and criminal responsibility but also social responsibility for this incident."

The office has currently reported the incident to the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul.