On-site Inspection Begins with Sections Frequently Used by Assistive Device Users
Seeking Solutions for Transit Improvement from the Perspective of People with Disabilities
On May 23, Lee Pilhyung, the mayor of Dongdaemun District, and district staff personally traveled approximately 400 meters in wheelchairs from Exit 2 of Janghanpyeong Station on Subway Line 5 to the Saenal Dongdaemun Center for Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities, inspecting any inconveniences along the way.
This inspection was a preliminary step in creating a "barrier-free path" along this route, so that people with disabilities can access the center more safely. It was organized to directly observe the everyday inconveniences faced by people with disabilities and to seek solutions for improvement.
The district received complaints from users with assistive devices such as wheelchairs, reporting that the walkway from Janghanpyeong Station to the center is difficult to navigate due to "disconnected sidewalks," "damaged sidewalk blocks," and "sloped roads for store vehicle access." In response, the district conducted an on-site experience to assess the situation.
Mayor Lee Pilhyung stated, "After personally traveling by wheelchair, I realized that the inconveniences faced by people with disabilities in their daily lives are by no means minor," adding, "We will find ways to resolve transit inconveniences to ensure the mobility rights and safety of people with disabilities."
The Saenal Dongdaemun Center for Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities (located in Jangan-dong) is a facility that supports activities, employment, and independent living for people with disabilities. Each month, about 1,000 people with disabilities visit the center. Over 60% of them use assistive devices such as wheelchairs, and even those with developmental disabilities who are able to walk experience difficulties with transit.
As of May 23, 2025, there are 15,079 registered persons with disabilities in Dongdaemun District, Seoul.
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