Seoul Subway Line 2 Union: "Jeonjangyeon Must Stop Illegal Hostage Protest Against Citizens"

"Threat to Employees' Safety as Well"

The Seoul Metro Integrated Labor Union, affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, criticized the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon) protest on the 30th, stating that "the protest must stop immediately for the safety of subway users and employees who are responsible for all risks arising from the illegal protest." This statement was made in response to Jeonjangyeon's resumption of subway boarding protests during rush hour at City Hall Station on Line 2 on the 20th.

On the 24th, the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) held a press conference and staged a subway boarding protest at Hyehwa Station on Seoul Subway Line 4, demanding the guarantee of budgets for the rights of persons with disabilities. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

The Integrated Labor Union of the Transportation Corporation announced this in a statement. Earlier, on the 23rd, the corporation announced a three-step response plan to Jeonjangyeon's illegal protests. The plan includes completely blocking station entrances, restricting boarding by suspending the opening and closing of platform safety doors upon entry, and taking legal action against all illegal activities. The Integrated Labor Union strongly supported the corporation's firm stance against Jeonjangyeon's protests.

The Integrated Labor Union said, "It is nonsense that while Jeonjangyeon is holding illegal protests demanding the guarantee of mobility rights for the disabled and securing budgets for disability rights, they are actually restricting the mobility rights of citizens and the Seoul Metro Integrated Labor Union during the protest." They added, "Restricting citizens' mobility rights is a serious challenge and provocation against the public."

The union also urged, "Stop attacking the punctuality of the subway, which should be equally provided to all citizens, immediately." They emphasized, "No matter how just Jeonjangyeon's claims are, if the means to enforce those claims damages the subway's punctuality, Jeonjangyeon loses its legitimacy."

However, while opposing subway protests, the Integrated Labor Union stated that they respect the mobility rights of the disabled and are willing to participate in efforts to secure budgets for Jeonjangyeon.

The union said, "If the subway protests during commuting hours stop and protests are held at other locations such as the National Assembly, we will fight together with Jeonjangyeon for the mobility rights of the disabled." They added, "We hope that Seoul Metro workers will unite and carry out effective struggles to realize these demands."

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