Jeonjangyeon Moves from Subway to Bus, Arrested Again as a Fugitive... "Will Attempt Boarding Frequently"

Two Activists Arrested in the Act for Obstructing Bus Operation and Biting Police Officer
"Will Continue Bus Boarding Protests Regardless of Commute Hours"

The National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) held a bus boarding protest at 1 p.m. on the 17th at the rotary bus stop in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Dozens of activists, police officers, and ordinary passengers became entangled in the narrow bus stop, leading to dangerously chaotic situations where people were pushed onto the roadway. During this process, two activists who boarded the bus and assaulted police officers were arrested on the spot. Jeonjangyeon stated that they will continue bus boarding protests frequently regardless of rush hours, anticipating future inconvenience for citizens.

On the afternoon of the 17th, the police arrested a Jeon Jang-yeon activist attempting to board a bus at the Hyehwa-dong rotary on the spot./Photo by Tae-won Choi skking@

The conflict between Jeonjangyeon and the police began around 12:50 p.m. on the day of the protest. The police cited safety concerns at the narrow bus stop and allowed wheelchair access to only about half of the bus platform. Activists protested, saying, "Isn't the place too narrow? It is our freedom to board the bus wherever we want at the stop." During this, a disabled activist in a wheelchair suddenly accelerated and stepped on a police officer's foot.

As the protest began, dozens of activists, police officers, and ordinary passengers became entangled. Some nearly hit their heads on the bus side mirrors, and others slipped onto the roadway, creating a series of dangerous situations. The police repeatedly requested that people move inside the safety line, but control was difficult. At the bus stop, which is about 2.5 meters wide, passengers disembarking from buses tried to pass through a crowd of dozens and about ten wheelchairs, causing groans to erupt from various places.

On the afternoon of the 17th, Park Kyung-seok, former representative of Jeonjangyeon, is speaking at the bus stop in Hyehwa-dong Rotary.
Photo by Choi Tae-won skking@

Representative Park said, "We are conducting the sixth protest under the name of civil disobedience and nonviolent bus movement to urge Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul to stop the witch hunt against Jeonjangyeon and to promote the rights of persons with disabilities." He added, "We will now board the bus. We will board even if we have to squeeze in. We urge Mayor Oh to stop the witch hunt and engage in proper negotiations."

As bus number 107 approached the stop, activists shouted slogans such as "Bus driver, please wait so that persons with disabilities can board. Please let us ride the bus. Guarantee our right to mobility." Soon, non-disabled activists lifted disabled activist A into the bus with a wheelchair and a placard. However, less than five minutes after attempting to board, the police arrested A on the spot for violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act and obstructing business and forcibly removed them from the bus.

The police broadcasted a warning, saying, "Please get onto the sidewalk immediately and stop illegal activities." In response to the police's dispersal order, Representative Park said, "We demanded the legitimate right to board the bus, but the police responded violently again. Although only one person boarded, as you can see, it is fundamentally impossible for persons with disabilities to use public transportation. Everyone has the right to move safely without discrimination," but he ordered dispersal.

On the afternoon of the 17th, police are restraining an agitated Jeon Jang-yeon activist at Hyehwa-dong rotary.
Photo by Taewon Choi skking@

Just as the commotion seemed to be ending, another unexpected incident occurred. Disabled activist B bit the arm of a police officer who was trying to arrest A and suddenly accelerated their electric wheelchair. The activist fell onto the roadway while in the wheelchair, and the assaulted police officer was immediately transported to the hospital. After Representative Park and the police calmed the tense atmosphere, the police arrested A and B and took them to Namdaemun Police Station. They are scheduled to be investigated there. A police official explained, "Despite repeated warnings from the police about obstructing bus operations, the illegal assembly continued, resulting in on-the-spot arrests."

After their arrest, Representative Park told the press that they will continue bus boarding protests in guerrilla-style actions. He said, "Since they arrested us on the spot, we will continue bus boarding protests frequently throughout Seoul at all times, regardless of rush hours."

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