Jeonjangyeon Activist Arrested in Flagrante Delicto During Protest at Hyehwa Station on Line 4

Allegations of Violating the Railroad Safety Act

An activist from the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) was arrested by the police on charges of assaulting a subway staff member with a bag during a protest.

A member of the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities is being forcibly removed while conducting a publicity campaign on the 26th at Hyehwa Station on Seoul Subway Line 4, urging the reinstatement of 400 workers with severe disabilities in rights-centered public jobs. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

On the 1st, the Hyehwa Police Station in Seoul announced that they had arrested and were investigating a female activist A from Jeonjangyeon on charges of violating the Railroad Safety Act at Hyehwa Station on Seoul Subway Line 4 at around 8:14 a.m. the previous day.

According to the police, A is accused of pushing a subway staff member affiliated with Seoul Metro and assaulting them with a bag during a protest on the subway platform.

Jeonjangyeon held a protest that morning demanding the condemnation of the dismissal of 400 public-centered workers with severe disabilities by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

A representative of Jeonjangyeon stated, "During the violent eviction process by Seoul Metro, the police forcibly arrested a female activist from Jeonjangyeon with an attitude of arrogance. It is an unjust exercise of public authority to violently disperse even the right to move while calling for peaceful publicity activities."