Kim Eunmi, Hongseong County Council Member, Urges Measures to Guarantee Mobility Rights for the Disabled

Emphasis on Increasing the Number of Call Taxis for People with Disabilities
and Expanding Service Eligibility

Kim Eunmi, a member of the Hongseong County Council in Chungnam, called for substantial improvements to guarantee the mobility rights of people with disabilities through a five-minute free speech during the council's temporary session, focusing on the issue of "the reality where those unable to walk still cannot use the call taxi service for people with disabilities."

Kim pointed out the difficulties faced by the transportation disadvantaged due to restrictions on the use of call taxis for people with disabilities and the insufficient number of vehicles in operation. She insisted that practical measures such as amending ordinances and increasing the number of call taxis for people with disabilities must be implemented.

After analyzing the operation of Hongseong County’s call taxi service for people with disabilities, Kim found that although there are 1,747 people with severe mobility disabilities in Hongseong County, there are only 13 call taxis for people with disabilities, which falls far short of the legal requirement of 18 vehicles.

The county plans to purchase two additional vehicles this year, but this still only meets 72% of the legal standard. Kim explained that during commuting hours, people with disabilities have to wait an average of over an hour for a call taxi, causing severe inconvenience for users.

Kim pointed out, “Currently, Hongseong County’s call taxi service for people with disabilities is limited to those with severe mobility disabilities, so people with visual or hearing impairments and other transportation disadvantaged groups cannot use it,” adding, “This represents an unbalanced service focused only on certain types of disabilities.”

As policy improvement measures, she proposed: ▲ expanding the eligibility for the call taxi service for people with disabilities ▲ increasing the number of vehicles and improving operations ▲ introducing a voucher taxi system.

Kim emphasized, “Disability is not simply a physical difference; depending on how much consideration our society shows, it can become either discrimination or an opportunity for equality.” She stressed the need for active policy improvements to realize a “warm companionship, happy Hongseong” where all transportation disadvantaged people can move freely without inconvenience.