‘장애인 권리 조례’ 통과 약속에…전장연 “지하철 탑승 시위 멈춥니다”

The head of the National Federation of Persons with Disabilities (전장연) has announced that they will cease their protest of Seoul subway riders boarding the trains, following the city council's political decision on Thursday. This marks the end of a four-year protest that began on December 3, 2021, and continued for 73 times before finally being halted.

However, this decision does not signify the end of the disability rights struggle. The council, through the ordinance, and the mayor, through the budget, as well as the public's interest and solidarity, are the answers to the question of why the protest had to continue for so long. These responses come from the mayor's office (오세훈), the city council (서울시의회), and the general public (시민 여러분께서).

The National Federation of Persons with Disabilities (전장연) announced their decision to cease the protest on January 24 at the Seoul City Council Office Building, where they held a joint press conference with the Democratic Party of Korea. The protest began on December 3, 2021, after which it continued for four years and eight months.

The announcement of their decision to cease the protest came after the majority Democratic Party of Korea promised to pass the ordinances for the protection of disability rights during the upcoming council meeting. The Democratic Party of Korea announced two ordinances: one on the improvement of convenience and labor rights for disabled people, and another on the promotion of employment and rehabilitation support for disabled people.

The Democratic Party of Korea's ordinances, scheduled to be passed during the 339th meeting of the Seoul Special City Council on the following day, include the partial revision of the "Seoul Special City Traffic Assistance for Disabled Persons Act" and the partial revision of the "Seoul Special City Disability Employment Promotion and Vocational Rehabilitation Support Act". The Democratic Party of Korea plans to pass these ordinances at the council meeting on January 25.

Park Yoojin, the senior policy adviser to the Seoul City Council's Democratic Party, stated that the council will "clearly define the mobility rights of disabled persons and define the rights-based approach to workers with severe disabilities" through the council's deliberation, which includes consultations with concerned parties, and will pass the ordinances on January 25.

Park Geukseok, the co-chairman of the National Federation of Persons with Disabilities, urged the council to "stop the political smear campaign against specific groups of disabled persons and protect their basic rights as citizens through dialogue". He expressed hope that the issue can be resolved through dialogue.

Park also expressed gratitude to the citizens who continue to support the protest despite facing verbal abuse and violence. He noted that even a high school student, while boarding the subway, held a mobile phone to their head in protest, with the words "I support" written on the screen. Park emphasized that the National Federation of Persons with Disabilities will continue the rights struggle with the belief and support of the public.