Budget minister vows to closely review disability rights budget

South Korea's budget minister requested a disability rights advocacy group to halt protests on subway platforms that cause service disruptions, while promising a thorough examination of related budget matters for next year. In a social media post, Budget Minister Park Hong-keun responded to the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination's call for his official position on their demand.

The group has pledged to conduct daily protests, insisting that the budget ministry include expenditures for disability rights in next year's budget, although no protest occurred on Wednesday.

Park emphasized the government's ongoing commitment to safeguarding the fundamental rights of individuals with disabilities, including their rights to transportation and employment. He stated that while planning for next year's budget, he is personally scrutinizing these issues diligently to ensure no aspect is overlooked. However, Park cautioned that protests disrupting subway and bus services would not alter the principles guiding the national budget.

He reiterated that the government budget is not subject to negotiation based on the intensity of demonstrations or protests. Instead, the ministry will responsibly review policies and funding for people with disabilities based on their lives and needs, all while maintaining fiscal feasibility and adhering to established principles.