Kim Yeji: "Guide Dog Access to the National Assembly... It's Absurd for It to Become a Controversy"

At the Future United Party's welcome ceremony for recruited talents held on the 11th of last month at Woosung Building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, visually impaired pianist candidate Kim Yeji (Jongno, Seoul) is seen taking a commemorative photo with her guide dog Joy. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Kim Ye-ji, a visually impaired pianist and elected member of the United Future Party, said on the 20th regarding the controversy over her guide dog Joy's access to the National Assembly plenary session hall and standing committee meeting rooms, "I think the very fact that this is becoming a controversy in the National Assembly is absurd."

Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day and said, "She has already been freely active in the National Assembly. The fact that this issue has been raised is quite questionable."

She added, "According to Article 40 of the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act and Article 4, Paragraph 3 of the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination Against Disabled Persons, guide dogs are guaranteed access to all public institutions," and said, "It seems absurd that this is becoming a controversy in the National Assembly, which enacted these laws."

Regarding her guide dog, Kim explained, "If I say it is a living being that accompanies me, that might be closer to the truth," and described Joy as "family and a part of my body."

On the difficulties she faces in daily life while accompanied by her guide dog, she revealed, "I am still refused entry when entering restaurants or similar places, and I have actually experienced this recently."

She continued, "The guide dog wears a vest labeled 'Guide Dog.' The harness, which serves as a handle to communicate with the guide dog partner, has a sign indicating that the guide dog is recognized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare," explaining that it is different from a pet dog.

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