Intense Confrontation at Gyeongnam Disabled Rights Rally ... Water Bottles Thrown and Fences Broken

A heated altercation broke out between government officials and protestors during a rally in the Gyeongnam region, where people with disabilities presented 11 demands, including intercity transportation rights for the disabled.

The Gyeongnam Center for Independent Living for the Disabled held a policy resolution rally for the protection of disability rights at 1 p.m. on the 17th in front of the Jeongwoo Shopping Center in Yongho-dong, Seongsan-gu, Changwon.

Their 11 demands to the Gyeongnam provincial government included: ▲ introduction of special transportation for bedridden disabled individuals ▲ expansion of Gyeongnam Pass support to guarantee bus use for people with disabilities ▲ strengthening intercity mobility rights ▲ expansion and stabilization of customized jobs for people with severe disabilities ▲ expansion of lifelong education for the disabled ▲ realistic funding for independent living homes ▲ expanded support for independent living for people with mental disabilities ▲ increased support for disability assistants ▲ enactment of a Gyeongnam communication support ordinance ▲ increased budget for the Gyeongnam Center for Independent Living for the Disabled (regional support) ▲ and dissolution of the subcommittee of the Disability Welfare Committee.

At a rally urging the guarantee of rights for persons with disabilities organized by the Gyeongnam Disabled Independent Living Center Council, individuals with severe disabilities are performing prostrations in front of the main gate of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office, demanding the fulfillment of their requests. Photo by Lee Seryoung

The council argued, "Transportation options for people with disabilities are severely lacking, activity support remains limited, and public jobs are merely symbolic. Lifelong education for the disabled is threatened by budget shortages, and support for independent living is nothing but an empty promise."

They continued, "We can no longer ignore the reality where people are denied the right to move, work, and learn just because of budget constraints. Gyeongnam Province must respond with immediate action so that people with disabilities can live their rightful lives as individuals and as members of society."

The group marched from Jeongwoo Shopping Center, passing the roundabout at Changwon City Hall Square, Choi Yoondeok Statue, Gyeongnam Office of Education, and finally to the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office.

Some participants, including people with disabilities and activists, performed a three-step-one-bow ritual in front of the statue, and near the main gate of the provincial office, people with severe disabilities got out of their wheelchairs to join in a full-body prostration protest.

The Gyeongnam Disabled Persons Organization is demanding access inside the main gate of the provincial government office. Photo by Se Ryeong Lee

Upon arrival at the provincial office, the council's delegation met with officials from the welfare and transportation departments to discuss the 11 demands.

While waiting, the group attempted to enter the main gate to complete their full-body prostration, but government security guards and officials blocked their way, escalating the standoff.

Gyeongnam Provincial Government security guards are holding up metal fences pushed by rally participants to prevent them from falling. Photo by Lee Seryung

Protestors shouted, "We are also residents of this province, why are we being blocked?" and "We are not trying to do anything else, so why stop us?" as they repeatedly pushed against the iron fence at the main gate, which had been quickly closed by security guards, attempting to enter the building.

The provincial office explained, "The reported rally location is only up to the main gate, and to ensure the safety of participants, protect the building, and allow vehicle passage, we have no choice but to block entry."

The standoff continued for about two hours until the delegation finished their discussions and came out.

As the physical confrontation intensified, police in charge of rally safety issued four orders to disperse, citing reasons such as leaving the designated rally area, assaulting police officers, obstructing traffic, and risk of accidents, but the situation persisted.

The broken iron fence at the main gate of the Gyeongnam Provincial Office (left) and a water bottle filled with ice water. Photo by Lee Seryung

During the process, a bottle of ice water thrown by a protestor flew inside the main gate, and part of the iron fence was damaged.

Some people with severe disabilities lay on the ground to block the gate from closing with their bodies, leading to a dangerous situation between protestors pushing the fence and security guards blocking them, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The Gyeongnam Disabled Independent Living Center Council held a rally to urge the protection of the rights of disabled people. Photo by Se Ryeong Lee

After the rally, the council stated, "We received responses regarding improvements for wheelchair access at intercity bus terminals, expansion of customized jobs for people with severe disabilities, efforts to designate additional lifelong learning cities for the disabled, increasing the number of assistants, and enacting a communication support ordinance," and added, "Our efforts to change the world have achieved this much."

They continued, "We hope to create an environment where people with disabilities can live with dignity," and emphasized, "For any unresolved issues, we will continue to protest with pickets, head shaving, or even hunger strikes to ensure our demands are met."