▲ Members of the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) hold their 69th subway boarding protest at the City Hall Station platform bound for Seoul Station on July 2.
The Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) held a subway boarding protest on the morning of July 2.
Although public inconvenience was anticipated as the protests resumed after a six-month hiatus, major disruptions were avoided as the demonstration took place outside of peak rush hour.
SADD conducted its 69th subway boarding protest, with members boarding a train at City Hall Station on Line 1 at approximately 8:50 a.m. and disembarking one stop later at Seoul Station at approximately 8:53 a.m.
Sixty activists divided into groups of ten and boarded six different subway cars.
While the train was crowded enough that some passengers had to stand, all activists in wheelchairs were able to board.
Park Kyung-seok, leader of SADD, stated, "We are not here to talk only about elevator issues; we are here to discuss the overall mobility rights of people with disabilities," adding, "The government must reflect the costs to guarantee the rights of people with disabilities in next year's budget."
The group is demanding that the Ministry of Economy and Finance guarantee a budget for disability rights and is urging the Seoul Metropolitan Government to withdraw the dismissal of 400 workers in rights-centered public jobs.
The group had suspended its subway boarding protests after the last one on January 2, resuming them today after six months.
Previously, on July 1, the group resumed its regular bus boarding protests at a bus stop near Hyehwa Rotary in Jongno-gu, which caused traffic congestion in the city center during the morning commute for about an hour.
Seoul Metro controlled parts of the City Hall Station platform and broadcast announcements demanding that the protesters stop the demonstration and leave the station.
The operator also advised subway passengers to "follow the guidance of staff for safe travel."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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