Human Rights Commission Recommends 'Exemption of Cultural Facility Fees for Severe Disabled Companion Activity Supporters'... Gangnam District Office and Gangnam Cultural Foundation "Reject"

Gangnam District Office and Gangnam Cultural Foundation have decided not to accept the recommendation of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) to exempt activity assistants accompanying persons with severe disabilities from cultural facility usage fees.

On the 28th, the NHRCK announced that the Gangnam District Office and Gangnam Cultural Foundation rejected the recommendation made on December 6 last year, which requested ordinance amendments to waive usage fees for one person accompanying a person with severe disabilities for assistance.

The NHRCK recommended the chairman of the Gangnam Cultural Foundation not to charge usage fees for one guardian, such as an activity assistant, accompanying persons using sports or cultural facilities operated by the Gangnam Cultural Foundation. Furthermore, the NHRCK urged the Gangnam District Office to amend ordinances and disseminate and supervise this matter among related organizations, including the Gangnam Cultural Foundation.

In response, the Gangnam District Office and Gangnam Cultural Foundation decided to reject the recommendation. The Gangnam District Office and Gangnam Cultural Foundation explained the reason for rejection, stating, "We are fulfilling our obligation to provide reasonable convenience to persons with disabilities by offering a 50% discount on usage fees for one accompanying person, such as an activity assistant, for persons with severe disabilities."

The NHRCK stated, "Even if a 50% discount on usage fees is provided, charging fees to activity assistants, etc., does not fulfill the obligation to provide reasonable convenience to persons with disabilities in sports activities," and expressed regret over Gangnam Cultural Foundation and Gangnam District Office's rejection of the recommendation. Additionally, the NHRCK added, "It is necessary for the relevant institutions to establish and implement proactive measures to rectify discrimination against persons with disabilities," and "The rejection was reported to the Minister of Justice on June 12, 2023, in accordance with Article 42 of the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities."

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