[Report] Jeonjangyeon Volunteers as 'Bad Disabled' for Mobility Rights... How to Handle the Overflowing Hate

'Protest for Guaranteeing Mobility Rights for Disabled People'
Starting from Chungmuro Station on Line 3, passing through Gyeongbokgung Station, ending at Hyehwa Station on Line 4
"If public transportation is safely used by non-disabled people, shouldn't disabled people be able to use it together?"
"We even approached the political sphere, but after 21 years of shouting, no one listened."
Hatred toward disabled people crosses the line... verbal abuse, threats, and even cyber attacks

Park Kyung-seok, former representative of Jeon Jang-yeon, disembarking at Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. A portable ramp was placed between the train and the platform for wheelchair disembarkation. Photo by Park Hyun-joo phj0325@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "They called us 'cancerous beings' behind our backs. Just because we (people with disabilities) are moving around."

On the 17th, the nationwide protest by the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) for 'guaranteeing the mobility rights of people with disabilities' started at Chungmuro Station on Seoul Subway Lines 3 and 4, passed through Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 and Hansung University Entrance Station on Line 4, and ended at Hyehwa Station. Their demand is for the Ministry of Economy and Finance to establish a budget basis for the mobility rights of people with disabilities through a revision of the enforcement decree.

At the Hyehwa Station platform, Lee Hyung-sook, Chairperson of the Seoul Disabled Independent Living Center Council, took the microphone and said, "This society has made us cancerous beings. Just because we move around," adding, "Some citizens may see people with disabilities as cancerous, but this is a problem the state must solve."

Lee emphasized, "We are also human beings. Because we are human, we claim the basic rights stated in the constitution. The right to mobility should be guaranteed not only to non-disabled people but to everyone."

◆ 21 Years of Struggle for 'Guaranteeing Mobility Rights for People with Disabilities'... "We've been to the National Assembly and met politicians, but nothing has changed"

On that day, Jeonjangyeon activists gathered in small groups around 7:40 a.m. on the Chungmuro Station platform and boarded the Line 3 train heading toward Gyeongbokgung. At Chungmuro Station, where the gap between the platform and the train is wide, it was difficult to board the train in a wheelchair, so Seoul Metro staff placed a portable ramp between the platform and the train. In contrast, at Hyehwa Station, there was a fixture filling the gap between the train and the platform, making it easier for wheelchairs to get on and off.

Park Kyung-seok, Jeonjangyeon's representative, who boarded the train, told citizens, "We have been shouting for 21 years for the right to mobility for people with disabilities. To urge the guarantee of mobility rights, we have been riding the subway for 17 days like this," adding, "We waited for the Ministry of Economy and Finance's response regarding securing the budget for mobility rights, but they kept repeating irresponsible statements."

He then appealed for citizens' attention. Park said, "We know well that many of you feel much inconvenience and criticize us for being 10 or 20 minutes late because of the protest," but added, "However, we have been shouting for 21 years for the right to mobility that you enjoy daily, but it has not been guaranteed. Can't we also use the transportation you use safely and conveniently?"

To a male citizen A who loudly protested, saying, "You should go to the politicians and do this. What is this nonsense causing inconvenience to citizens going to work? The method itself is wrong," Park calmly replied, "We have been to the National Assembly and met politicians, but they did not keep their promises."

Seoul Subway Line 3 Chungmuro Station (left) had a wide gap between the train and the platform, making it difficult for wheelchair boarding without a portable ramp. In contrast, Line 4 Hyehwa Station had a narrow gap between the train and the platform, eliminating the risk of feet or wheelchair wheels getting caught. Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

Park did not overlook inconvenient points and corrected them immediately. At the beginning of the protest, the train announcement said, "Train operation is delayed due to illegal protests by disability groups on Line 3," but after Park's repeated complaints, it was changed to "Train is delayed due to Jeonjangyeon's protest." This was thanks to Park's request to Seoul Metro, "There are many other disability groups besides us, so please say it is Jeonjangyeon's protest. Also, please accurately state that it is a protest for guaranteeing mobility rights, not an illegal protest. Please do not give prejudice to citizens."

According to Seoul Metro, subway operations were not delayed that day.

◆ Small inconveniences turning into hatred... "A distorted view of people with disabilities has been expressed"

The protest for guaranteeing mobility rights for people with disabilities was triggered by the 2001 lift fall accident at Oido Station on Line 4. They argue that because the lift is located close to the stairs, many accidents occur when trying to press the crew call button. In fact, in October 2017, at Singil Station on Lines 1 and 5, a severely disabled person, the late Han Kyung-deok, died after falling down the stairs while trying to use the lift.

They have had to fight against 'disability hate' as well. As the protest lengthened, the level of hate increased. It is not just general complaints about inconvenience but serious verbal abuse and threats directed at Jeonjangyeon. It is also common for promotional materials posted on walls to be damaged. A Jeonjangyeon official said, "We understand that organized groups on the online community 'DC Inside' repeatedly damage promotional materials," adding, "When we come tomorrow, the promotional materials will be damaged again."

On the 4th, a post appeared on the Blue House's national petition board demanding punishment for Jeonjangyeon's protest. The petitioner said, "I think it is legitimate for people with disabilities to demand improvements for inconveniences," but also urged punishment, saying, "A specific disability group is causing harm to innocent citizens' time and money."

Especially on the 15th, Jeonjangyeon suffered online and offline attacks. According to Jeonjangyeon, their website server was down due to a concentrated cyberattack, and Google Drive files were deleted. Park said, "Disability activists received verbal abuse and threats from strangers, and some citizens came to the Jeonjangyeon office threatening to set it on fire. The Facebook Live announcing the press conference was filled with insulting comments."

Lee Hyung-sook viewed such hateful perspectives as "Actually, that (hatred) is latent inside. Distorted views of people with disabilities are being expressed." She pointed out that the 'disability hate public opinion' that appeared due to inconvenience caused by the protest was not newly created but an expression of latent internal hatred.

Lee Hyung-sook, Chairperson of the Seoul Disabled Independent Living Center Council, speaking at Hyehwa Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The promotional materials attached to the wall behind the activists holding placards are damaged. Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

However, the 21 years of struggle have mentally strengthened Jeonjangyeon activists. Some unreasonable criticisms have now become something they can laugh off.

Park said, "Every morning I wake up thinking, 'How will I endure today?' and 'How will the people around me endure the criticism, hatred, and threats rather than just me?'" but added, "We will continue the struggle."

He said, "While some strive to seize power, we are shouting to seize rights," and pointed out, "It is the sovereign citizens who move the government. The reason rights have not been guaranteed yet is the accumulated ignorance, prejudice, and indifference of the sovereign citizens over 21 years." Park also proudly said, "The platforms 5-3 and 5-4 at Hyehwa Station where we are standing now will someday be recorded in history."

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