Will the 21st National Assembly Become a 'Common Sense Assembly'... Ruling and Opposition United on 'Guide Dog Access' (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] As the 21st National Assembly begins in June, on the 19th, the ruling and opposition parties spoke with one voice for the first time in a while regarding the entry of the guide dog 'Joy' for the visually impaired into the National Assembly.

The controversy over the entry of guide dogs assisting the visually impaired into the National Assembly stems from the absence of relevant provisions in the National Assembly Act. Article 148 of the National Assembly Act stipulates that "no objects or food that interfere with the progress of the meeting shall be brought into the meeting hall." Additionally, Article 151 states that "only members, the Prime Minister, state council members or government officials, other persons necessary for deliberation of bills, and those permitted by the chairperson may enter the meeting hall." There is no regulation to determine whether guide dogs can enter the National Assembly meeting hall.

The Secretariat of the National Assembly has conventionally blocked the entry of guide dogs into the plenary session hall and standing committee meeting rooms. In the 17th National Assembly in 2004, Jeong Hwa-won, then a member of the Hannara Party with visual impairment, conducted legislative activities with the help of aides or secretaries instead of a guide dog.

Kim Ye-ji, a visually impaired pianist elected as a proportional representative of the Future Korea Party, expressed on her Facebook that she found it difficult to accept the controversy over the entry of guide dogs. She said, "Raising this as an issue threatens the social guarantee level concerning the rights and safety of all visually impaired people in the Republic of Korea, not just discrimination against one member of the National Assembly," adding, "If discrimination continues under the pretext of convention and decisions are made that infringe on the rights of the disabled through incorrect interpretation of regulations, I will never accept it under any circumstances."

The political circles also supported the issue with a rare unified voice beyond party lines. Kang Min-jin, spokesperson for the Justice Party, stated in a commentary, "Sufficient support must be provided so that visually impaired members of the National Assembly can exercise equal authority as non-disabled members," and urged, "The Secretariat of the National Assembly must guarantee the entry of Kim's guide dog into the plenary session hall."

Lee Seok-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, also wrote on his Facebook, "This is not something to worry about. The National Assembly is neither a sacred place nor a vulgar one; it is simply a place where the majority gathers," and urged, "Guide dogs should naturally be allowed to enter." Lee Su-jin, elected from Dongjak-eul, Seoul, and entering the 21st National Assembly as a Democratic Party member, wrote on Facebook, "It is regrettable that the word 'review' arises simply because there is no precedent. The animal National Assembly is made by people, not animals."

In response, Kim and the Future Korea Party expressed gratitude. Kim said, "I express my gratitude to those who share the same intention." Won Yoo-chul, leader of the Future Korea Party, also said, "I thank the Justice Party and Representative Shim Sang-jung," and urged the Secretariat for a prompt decision, stating, "During the election campaign period of about a month and various meetings, the guide dog Joy did not interfere with the operation of the meetings at all."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.