Lee Jeonghee, Hongseong County Council Member, Urges Expansion of Ramps for the Transportation Vulnerable

Lee Jeonghee, a member of the Hongseong County Council, delivering a 5-minute speech

Lee Jeonghee, a member of the Hongseong County Council in Chungnam (Democratic Party of Korea), strongly urged for the expansion of ramps for the transportation disadvantaged during a five-minute free speech at the 311th temporary session held at the county council's main chamber on the morning of the 17th.

Lee stated, "The lack of ramps for people with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women, who are transportation-vulnerable, is not just an inconvenience but leads to social exclusion and discrimination," emphasizing that "policy improvements are urgently needed to guarantee practical mobility rights."

She pointed out the limitations of the current ‘Enforcement Decree of the Act on Convenience Promotion for Persons with Disabilities, the Elderly, and Pregnant Women,’ explaining that the law only applies to newly built or expanded buildings, so the improvement effect on existing buildings is minimal. She added, "Physical barriers are becoming social barriers."

Quoting a Supreme Court ruling on the right of access for people with disabilities, Lee said, "The reality, filled with thresholds and stairs, is like visiting a city of invisible people where all the doors are locked," stressing that guaranteeing mobility rights is an urgent task that cannot be delayed.

Lee raised her voice, saying, "Ramps are not facilities for a select few, but for all county residents. These are important facilities that help not only people with disabilities, but also parents using strollers, seniors using walking aids, and residents with temporary leg injuries to move conveniently. The county must actively step up to guarantee the mobility rights of the transportation disadvantaged."

She also proposed policy alternatives such as encouraging and supporting the installation of ramps in places without legal obligations, reviewing ways to support the installation of ramps in private facilities and encouraging voluntary participation by business owners, and expanding mobility convenience facilities for the transportation disadvantaged not only in new buildings but also in existing ones.