Gyeongnam Disabled People's Solidarity Holds Large-Scale Rally in Front of Provincial Government Main Gate

The Gyeongnam Coalition for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities held a large-scale rally in front of the main gate of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office on the 22nd.

The Gyeongnam Struggle Group for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination claimed that the Gyeongnam Provincial Government has consistently responded with silence to demands for the elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities.

Gyeongnam Coalition for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities is holding a rally on the road in front of the provincial government main gate.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

They have been holding a tent sit-in protest in front of the provincial government office's main gate since April 19, demanding ▲ the construction of a Disabled Persons' Hall ▲ guarantee of mobility and labor rights for persons with disabilities ▲ increased budget for disability organizations ▲ improvement of workers' treatment ▲ and guarantee of independent living rights.

About 300 members of disability organizations nationwide attended the rally, shouting their demands in front of the provincial government office's main gate and on three lanes of the road.

To ensure safety management and prepare for physical clashes, about 400 personnel, including employees from the provincial welfare and health bureau and five police companies, were mobilized at the site.

The Gyeongnam Coalition for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities is staging a sit-in protest in front of the blocked main gate of the provincial government office.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

In April 2021, the Gyeongnam Provincial Government restricted access to the government building for organizations to prevent re-occupation of the building, based on a previous case where disability organizations occupied the stairs in front of the main gate of the government building.

An official from the provincial government said, “Because there was a past case of occupying the government building, access to the provincial government office was blocked. We will discuss the demands of the struggle group in order, but unconditional acceptance is difficult, so sufficient time is needed to prepare measures for securing the budget.”

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