Human Rights Commission: "Local Governments Must Establish Convenience Facilities for Disabled People in Tourist Complexes"

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has ruled that local governments failing to provide convenience facilities for people with disabilities within tourist complexes constitutes discrimination.

On the 15th, the NHRCK announced that on the 13th it recommended that County A in Gyeongnam Province improve access routes to disabled restrooms to prevent discriminatory acts against people with disabilities participating in tourism activities. Additionally, it emphasized installing ramps at various facilities within the tourist complex and experience centers, as well as improving the parking lot floors and access routes between the suspension bridge and experience centers.

According to the NHRCK, Mr. B, a person with a disability who uses an electric wheelchair, filed a complaint last June stating that the restrooms in County A’s tourist complex were too narrow and that access to major facilities, various experience centers, and souvenir shops was difficult, constituting discrimination against people with disabilities.

The tourist complex in County A stated, "Although it was developed on steep mountainous terrain, we have been continuously striving to make it a barrier-free tourist site." They added, "Since the incident, we have implemented internal improvements such as installing additional disabled restrooms certified as barrier-free, relocating the comprehensive tourist information center, and removing access route sculptures." However, they also noted, "It is difficult to accommodate all requests for disabled convenience in cases where it would damage the aesthetics of traditional house-style facilities, compromise safety, or involve leased stores."

In response, the NHRCK pointed out, "Tourism activities are an important fundamental right to guarantee human dignity, so people with disabilities must be provided equal opportunities as non-disabled individuals." They stressed, "There is a need to provide comprehensive convenience rather than fragmented facility expansions or improvements limited to guidance." Furthermore, they stated, "Since the tourist complex is effectively operated as a public facility, County A holds comprehensive supervisory authority and responsibility." They added, "Considering that improvements can be made through management and guidance of lease contracts, it is difficult to view refusal to provide convenience to people with disabilities as a justifiable reason."

Moreover, the NHRCK emphasized, "There is no excessive burden or significantly difficult circumstance for County A in providing reasonable convenience to people with disabilities," and "Regardless of direct management or leasing, a plan to improve convenience for disabled users of the tourist complex must be established."

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