"Let's Stand Together" Citizens Flood with Donation Proofs for Disability Mobility Rights Protest

Support Certifications Continue via Twitter and Other SNS
"Take Measures Now" Voices Criticizing Seoul Metro Also Raised

Members of disability organizations, including the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon), are holding a subway protest during the morning rush hour on the 28th at the Line 3 platform of Gyeongbokgung Station in Seoul, demanding the guarantee of mobility rights for persons with disabilities and the inclusion of disability rights budgets. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Netizens are pouring support toward the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon), which is holding a 'protest for the mobility rights of disabled people' at Seoul subway stations. Netizens have joined the solidarity by verifying their donation records in response to Seoul Metro's social media posts reporting train delays caused by the protests.

On the morning of the 28th, Seoul Metro's Twitter account stated, "Currently, due to Jeonjangyeon's subway ride promotion campaign in some sections of Line 3, train operation delays are occurring on Line 3," and added, "Please take this into consideration when using the service." Seoul Metro regularly provides useful information such as train delays and traffic congestion to users through social media.

At around 8 a.m. that day, activists and disabled individuals centered around Jeonjangyeon held a 'boarding and alighting protest' at Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. Jeonjangyeon is conducting the protest to demand ▲ the national government's responsibility for mobility rights for the disabled and the revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Subsidy Act ▲ the revision of the Enforcement Decree to designate lifelong education facility operating expenses as a national responsibility.

In relation to this, some netizens continued a 'relay donation' by attaching replies to Seoul Metro's Twitter posts. They posted photos verifying small donations to Jeonjangyeon's support account along with messages of encouragement.

Some netizens who sent donations to Jeonjangyeon’s account / Photo by Twitter capture

Netizens who participated in the donations said, "Although it is a small amount, I donated. I hope the world becomes a better place for everyone," "Please protect the mobility rights of disabled people," and "Whether it's 500 won or 1,000 won, let's attach screenshots of Jeonjangyeon donations to every Seoul Metro tweet to show support and solidarity. I hope they fight together until the end."

Netizens also raised critical voices regarding Seoul Metro's response to Jeonjangyeon's protests. Comments on Seoul Metro's notice about train operation delays due to Jeonjangyeon's protest included, "Seoul Metro should stop the public opinion warfare," "Listen to the demands of the disability organizations," and "Don't just blame the protests; come up with measures to guarantee the mobility rights of disabled people."

Earlier, on the 25th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, stirred controversy by posting criticism of the disability mobility rights protests. On that day, Lee said, "No matter how legitimate the claim is, if it excessively infringes on others' rights, it can be negatively evaluated," and added, "The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Seoul Metro should actively deploy safety personnel."

He also stated, "The struggle for mobility rights for disabled people should not hold millions of Seoul citizens' mornings hostage, and active intervention is necessary against such absurdity."

Members of Jeonjangyeon and Kim Ye-ji, a member of the People Power Party, are boarding Line 3 at Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 28th for the subway protest "Taking the Subway on the Way to Work," which was held to demand the guarantee of mobility rights for the disabled and the reflection of the disability rights budget. / Photo by Yonhap News

Political circles poured criticism on Lee's remarks. On the 27th, Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung criticized on Facebook, saying, "The reason Lee's remarks are condemned is because of his attitude toward socially vulnerable groups such as women and disabled people." Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young pointed out, "The reason disabled people are protesting is that the People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok ignore the budget for disabled people's rights."

Voices calling for self-reflection also emerged within the People Power Party. Kim Ye-ji, a visually impaired pianist and People Power Party lawmaker, attended the Jeonjangyeon protest at Gyeongbokgung Station on the 28th and knelt down to deliver an apology message.

Kim said that day, "Before being a lawmaker, I am a visually impaired person who empathizes with your difficulties," and added, "Thank you for representing the disability community despite enduring hateful looks and anger from others because no one else pays attention."

She continued, "As a politician, the media only pays attention when a major accident or serious injury occurs, and when the media pays attention, the political world takes interest. I deeply feel responsible and am truly sorry," and bowed her head, saying, "On behalf of the political world, I apologize for not understanding, not empathizing, and failing to communicate with appropriate words."

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