Support for Jeonjangyeon Continues Despite Lee Jun-seok's Criticism of the Protest

From Small Amounts of 10,000 to 100,000 Won... SNS Donation Verification Posts
Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Demand Apology

As of the 29th, a series of sponsorship verifications for the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) continues on social networking services (SNS). (Source=Twitter)

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Following Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, criticizing protests by disability organizations, support and donations for the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) have continued nationwide.

On the 29th, searching for ‘Jeonjangyeon Donation’ on Twitter revealed a series of posts certifying donations. The amounts varied from small sums of 10,000 KRW to 100,000 KRW.

Donation certification posts also appeared on Seoul Metro’s SNS posts. Seoul Metro faced criticism after a document titled ‘Media Play to Counter Public Opinion with Socially Vulnerable Groups’ was revealed. Some SNS users donated 10,000 KRW each time Seoul Metro posted notices about delays caused by Jeonjangyeon and certified their donations in the comments.

Kim, a 32-year-old office worker who recently donated to Jeonjangyeon, said, "I only donated 10,000 KRW," but added, "Rather than contributing a large amount, I wanted to express my hope that the mobility rights of persons with disabilities be guaranteed." A Jeonjangyeon official explained, "Jeonjangyeon is not a donation organization, so we cannot disclose specific donation amounts and have not accurately tracked them," adding, "Although it is not direct fundraising, the scale of donations has increased as citizens voluntarily took action."

Civil Groups and Political Circles Also Strengthen Solidarity: "There Are Goals Society Should Aim For"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Civic groups such as People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions also criticized the leader and called for an apology. People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy stated, "The leader should stop politics of discrimination and hatred and apologize," and urged, "He should listen to the voices of transportation-vulnerable groups and prepare budgets and policies." The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said, "The leader’s hatred and division tactics have shifted to target persons with disabilities," and declared, "As members of the community, persons with disabilities will fight to secure and be respected for their rights."

The political sphere also showed solidarity. Kim Hye-ji of the People Power Party and Jang Hye-young of the Justice Party joined Jeonjangyeon’s subway morning commute protest the day before. At the protest site, Representative Kim knelt down to appeal for solidarity.

Heo Min-sook, a researcher at the National Assembly Legislative Research Office, said, "From a long historical perspective, solidarity has overcome hatred, but the hatred faced by minorities such as homosexuals beyond persons with disabilities has reached a dangerous level," adding, "Although the protests cause inconvenience to the public, there are goals society should aim for."