Gwangsan District Council in Gwangju Passes "Barrier-Free City Establishment Ordinance"

Proposed by Councilor Youngsun Kim... Basic plan to be established every five years
Legal basis provided for supporting barrier-free improvements in private facilities
Promotion of disability experience programs and awareness initiatives
Regulations for building certification and establishment of a promotion committee

Gwangsan District in Gwangju has taken its first institutional step toward establishing a "barrier-free city," enabling all residents to live without discrimination or inconvenience.

According to the Gwangsan District Council on September 9, Councilor Youngsun Kim (Democratic Party of Korea, Suwan-dong, Hanam-dong, Imgok-dong) sponsored the "Gwangsan District Barrier-Free City Establishment Ordinance Bill," which passed the review of the Economic and Welfare Committee during the 299th temporary session of the council the previous day.

Youngsun Kim, Gwangsan District Councilor, Gwangju.

A "barrier-free city" refers to a city designed and planned from the outset to ensure that all residents, including those with mobility challenges (such as people with disabilities, seniors, and pregnant women), can use facilities without inconvenience. The purpose of this ordinance is to make Gwangsan District a human rights city and a sustainable city.

The ordinance stipulates that the district mayor must actively work toward creating a barrier-free city and establish a basic plan every five years. It also provides a legal basis for supporting the improvement of private facilities into barrier-free facilities.

Additionally, the ordinance includes provisions for establishing and operating facilities for disability experience programs and for providing administrative and financial support when operating such programs. It also covers support for obtaining barrier-free building certification and the establishment and operation of a barrier-free city promotion committee.

Councilor Kim stated, "It is the duty of local governments to create an urban environment that all residents can use conveniently and comfortably," adding, "I will do my best to identify and improve inconveniences from the perspective of socially disadvantaged groups and residents."