Kim Ye-ji Kneels at Disabled Protest... Lee Jun-seok Criticizes as 'Uncivilized'

Kim Yeji "Sorry politics couldn't resolve it"
Jang Hyeyoung "Yoon & Ahn must visit site and listen"
Lee Junseok "Causing fear and discomfort... Urges protest halt"

Kim Ye-ji, a member of the People Power Party, and her guide dog Joy boarded the subway at Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3 on the 28th to participate in the 25th "Taking the Subway on the Way to Work" campaign organized by the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon). 2022.3.28 [Joint Coverage] [Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee, Byungseon Gong, Juhee Kang] On the 28th, Kim Yeji, a member of the People Power Party, knelt down at a protest site organized by the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, which was held in a subway station demanding budget guarantees for mobility rights. Accompanied by her guide dog Joy, Representative Kim apologized to the commuters, saying, "I am sorry that you have to experience what the political sphere has failed to resolve." Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, described the protest as "an unacceptable method in a civilized society" and urged the demonstrators to stop the protest.

That morning, inside Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, Representative Kim began her remarks by saying, "As a politician, I deeply feel responsible." She added, "Only when there are deaths or serious accidents and the media pays attention does politics take an interest, and as a politician, I take responsibility for that." She continued, "While it may not be possible to allocate 100% of the budget for guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities as you wish, I will do my best to raise awareness and persuade others," and added, "Over the next five years, I will make sure to create a roadmap to properly execute budgets not only for mobility rights but also for guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities."

Jang Hye-young, a member of the Justice Party who was present at the site, demanded that Lee and President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and Presidential Transition Committee Chair Ahn Cheol-soo show responsible attitudes. Representative Jang said, "I believe this is the place where politics is truly needed and where people really should come," and added, "Those responsible for change should come to the protest, prepare for official and responsible meetings, listen to the voices of those demanding budgets to guarantee mobility rights for a dignified life, and express a responsible stance to meet with them." Addressing Lee, she said, "Respecting basic human dignity in dealing with people is the best thing to do as a human being, beyond politics," and urged, "Let’s not fight with citizens but fight against discrimination."

On the other hand, pressure from Lee to stop the protest intensified. At the Supreme Council meeting that day, Lee said, "Various groups are preparing to strengthen rallies and protests," and added, "They are trying to enforce their demands on President-elect Yoon through illegal and dangerous methods."

On the 28th, Kim Ye-ji, a member of the People Power Party, knelt down and spoke at a protest organized by the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, held in a subway station to demand budget guarantees for mobility rights. (Photo by Kang Ju-hee)

Lee emphasized, through the announcement of the '59-second Shorts' pledge, that he promised to guarantee mobility rights for persons with disabilities and urged, "Stop the incomprehensible form of protest." He said, "It is difficult for the demands of a specific group in our society to be fully met," and warned, "If this is tolerated, society will become a place of abnormal competition that causes the greatest fear and inconvenience rather than rational discussion and dialogue on all issues."

Meanwhile, the Presidential Transition Committee remained reserved in response to questions about this issue. Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the President-elect, said at a Q&A session with reporters, "Please direct questions about discussions within the party to the National Assembly," and added, "I will separately explain how the President-elect’s remarks on transportation convenience and mobility rights for persons with disabilities will be further specified within the transition committee."

The National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities is demanding the largest budget guarantee for mobility rights of persons with disabilities. They want the central government to take responsibility for the uneven budgets for mobility rights of persons with disabilities across local governments. In fact, as of last year, Seoul’s budget related to mobility rights for persons with disabilities reached 129.8 billion KRW, while Chungcheongnam-do’s was only 3.3 billion KRW as of 2020. The group urged, "Specifically, the Ministry of Economy and Finance should revise the enforcement decree of the Act on the Transportation Convenience for Mobility Disadvantaged Persons to set the subsidy ratio for operating costs of special transportation for persons with disabilities at 70% national funds and 30% local funds." They are also calling for unconditional acceptance of four disability rights bills. These four bills include the Disability Rights Guarantee Act, the Disability Deinstitutionalization Support Act, the Disability Lifelong Education Act, and the Special Education Act.

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