Ok Kyunghun, Director of Basic Society Research Institute, "Disability Facilities Must Guarantee Priority Rights for Disabled People"

Holding a Policy Meeting on Disability Issues

Oh Kyung-hoon, director of 'Lee Jae-myung's Basic Society Research Institute,' recently held a policy meeting on disability issues and stated, "Facilities for the disabled must guarantee priority rights for people with disabilities."

The meeting was conducted on two topics: 'Convenience for mobility-impaired individuals due to the opening of Subway Line 2' and 'Usage rights for people with disabilities regarding the opening of Bandabi Gymnasium.'

Attendees included Kim Kyun-ho, president of Nam-gu Disabled Association; Choi Byung-ryeol, president of Nam-gu Jaseok Business; Kim Sang-seop, director of the Welfare Center for the Visually Impaired; Lee Seung-soo, representative of Dasom Welfare Association; Lee Soon-hwa, representative of Gwangju-Jeonnam Women with Disabilities Association; Kim Hyung-soo, director of the Library for the Visually Impaired; Kim Kyung-sik, executive director of Gwangju Disabled Welfare Organizations Council; Bae Kwang-geun, branch president of Nam-gu Physical Disability Association; Park Jong-pil, president of Gwangju Physical Disability Association; and Kim Yong-mok, representative of Siloam People.

They expressed the reality that disability facilities inevitably have to be shared with non-disabled people to secure operational revenue and emphasized the need for practical priority usage rights for people with disabilities.

Park Jong-pil, president of Gwangju Physical Disability Association, said, "It is necessary to establish clear operational guidelines to ensure that the rights of non-disabled people are not infringed," and added, "It is necessary to enact regulations prioritizing people with disabilities through district office ordinances."

Along with this, concerns were raised that people with disabilities should not experience inconvenience when using Subway Line 2.

Kim Yong-mok, representative of Siloam People, expressed concern, saying, "The public walkway slopes should not violate BF (Barrier-Free) certification standards," and added, "If the slope is too steep or too long, wheelchair movement may become difficult."

He further added, "The flow of movement should be improved so that people can access the public walkway directly from the Subway Line 2 entrance."

The attendees also emphasized raising awareness of rights-centered public jobs to restore the working rights of people with disabilities and the responsibility of public institutions.

Lee Soon-hwa, representative of Gwangju-Jeonnam Women with Disabilities Association, pointed out, "Currently, public institutions do not clearly distinguish between rights-centered public jobs and jobs for people with disabilities, which is wrong," and added, "Rights-centered public jobs conducted to guarantee labor rights for people with disabilities should not be deprioritized in budgets and policies."

Director Oh Kyung-hoon expressed strong determination to solve problems while sympathizing with the need for priority usage rights for disability facilities in Gwangju.

Director Oh said, "The Bandabi Gymnasium being built in Nam-gu is a facility designed from the start with a philosophy that considers the quality of life of people with disabilities," and added, "We will pay close attention to ensure that this philosophy is thoroughly reflected in the operational policies."