[Power K-Women] "No Life Left Behind" Beyond Disability, Being Myself, National Assembly Member Choi Boyoon

I Will Be a Beacon for the Socially Vulnerable in the Rapidly Changing Future Era
Introducing Practical Policies That Can Be Felt Personally
Active as a Specialist Lawyer in Compensation Claims
Aiming to Lead Coordinated Politics That Achieve National Consensus

"In a situation with no end in sight and an uncertain future, all I could do was ‘live day by day.’ I believed that by focusing on the tasks at hand each day and living through them, things could improve. I concentrated on ‘living true to myself’ and did what I could."

Choi Boyoon, a member of the People Power Party, has paralysis in her left arm and left leg. She developed paralysis in her left arm while preparing for the judicial examination but miraculously recovered. However, after passing the exam, during her time at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, she suffered spinal cord damage due to a medical accident, resulting in paralysis of both her left arm and left leg. At that time, doctors said the disability was progressing and, in the worst case, could lead to paralysis of all limbs. It was the most difficult period in her life. Nevertheless, Choi did not give up because she had a dream of becoming a legal professional. Despite adverse conditions, she believed there was definitely something she could do. After becoming a lawyer, she worked to stand by people who had experienced medical accidents, industrial accidents, and similar hardships. Choi also dedicated herself to improving the human rights of people with disabilities. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Disabled Person of the Year Award in 2019. This award, established after South Korea received the 1st Roosevelt International Disability Award in 1996, is a presidential-level honor given to individuals who have contributed to disability welfare and social development.

Before her disability, she lived what is called an ‘elite mainstream’ life. After graduating from Han Young Foreign Language High School, she entered the Department of Law at Seoul National University. From the time her disability occurred, every task became a continuous challenge, but she did not despair. She embraced the experience of living a ‘non-mainstream life’ as a person with a disability positively. Having lived both sides, her life deepened. She is the result of that experience. On the back of her business card is the phrase ‘The brightest light in the lowest place.’ Even for those facing difficulties such as business failures or family issues, regardless of disability, she wanted to be a reliable ally and bring about tangible changes in their lives. With this mindset, she temporarily paused her legal career and entered politics.

- Was your time at the Judicial Research and Training Institute difficult? It must have been mentally challenging. How did you overcome it?

△It was the hardest time in my life. The disability was progressively worsening in a unique way, then stopped, leaving the current level of disability. In a way, there are parts of life that are unavoidable and parts that we can control. At that time, I focused on what I could do and kept thinking about and practicing those things. Living with a disability meant that even small things became challenges. I thought about how to improve those aspects. My parents and siblings were also a strong support.

- You speak so calmly, but what does it mean to live well day by day?

△You could call it ‘busy leisure.’ Even amid a busy daily life, I tried not to lose myself or my center. I focused on having that leisure and living true to myself. I thought about ‘how to love myself’ and tried one thing at a time. I could find happiness in those things, and in fact, the more peaceful, stable, and happy life I had, the better I could work. I also distinguished between what I could and could not do and focused on what I could do. Although my body was uncomfortable and it was difficult at times, I am not a person who settles; I have a strong drive, so I made many small improvements.

Choi Boyoon, a member of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

- When your body is tired, your mind gets more exhausted. How do you overcome that?

△I try to keep good people around me. I want to have people nearby who can have a positive influence, and I want to be that kind of person myself.

- How was your life as a lawyer?

△I worked as a certified specialist lawyer in compensation at the Korean Bar Association. I mostly represented victims who died or were disabled due to various accidents such as medical malpractice, industrial accidents, and traffic accidents. One of the most memorable cases was a child who became quadriplegic due to cervical spinal injury from diving. I handled the lawsuit to secure compensation. While the lawsuit was a legal matter, the family also asked about how the child should live going forward and what dreams to have. I helped find mentors for the child’s desired career and consulted with them. I also guided them on how to receive assistive devices the child could use. I had many experiences of being involved in their lives. Since I received a lot of help myself, I thought that if there was any way I could help, I would do so not just as a lawyer but as a close acquaintance.

- What led you to enter politics?

△Not only myself but also families of people with disabilities around me faced similar difficulties. Also, seeing the victims in the cases I handled, I thought the process of solving problems one by one resembled politics. Listening to clients’ stories, facing reality, and solving problems was the role of a legal professional, but politics is about reaching national consensus, resolving conflicts, and influencing a broader range of issues, including those that cannot be solved by law. I am also very grateful to many people, and with that gratitude, I want to contribute a lot to society. Since my work was as a specialist lawyer in compensation, I have done a lot of mediation. I want to practice meticulous, mediating politics that draws out national consensus.

Choi Boyun, a member of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

- How is it actually being in the National Assembly?

△When I worked as a lawyer, I thought I spent a lot of time working on weekends, but being a member of the National Assembly requires even more time than legal work. I have felt that lawmakers work hard, and I also want to work hard to meet the expectations of the people.

- What is your first legislative bill about?

△Although discussions on disability-related impact assessments and gender-responsive budgeting have taken place, they have not progressed to actual legal amendments. While efforts are still needed for women’s social expenditures, gender impact assessments and gender-responsive budgeting have been reflected for over ten years, leading to many improvements thanks to these systems. I am preparing my first bill on disability mainstreaming, a concept similar to gender mainstreaming. I want to improve comprehensive access rights such as information access, mobility rights, and facility access in line with international standards.

- How do you want to be remembered?

△No one can accurately predict how the future society will change or how fast these changes will occur, but significant changes are anticipated. In this process, some people may be left behind and feel anxious. Some may lose jobs or face difficulties, and some may be marginalized. I want to keep thinking about what role I can play to prevent such people from emerging or to ensure they do not suffer too much if they do. I want to solve these issues through politics. Disability can happen to anyone. When it does, I want to be a social safety net on their side and a source of warmth so that everyone can live a happy and equal life. I want to be a light that reaches all citizens.

- What would you like to say to women who continue to take on challenges?

△Even if you face difficulties as a woman, I hope you do not give up and think about the parts where you can be happier. I want to tell you to dream of the future and have hope.

About Representative Choi Boyoon

She was elected as the No. 1 proportional representative of the People Power Party in the 22nd National Assembly. After passing the 51st Judicial Examination, she worked as a specialist lawyer in compensation. Before coming to the National Assembly, she actively participated in activities to improve the human rights of people with disabilities. She served as an advisor and operating committee member of the Seongnam City Center for the Promotion of Disability Rights, a member of the Disability Rights Support Group of the Korea Federation of Organizations of the Disabled, and an advisory member of the Ministry of Justice’s Human Rights Policy Advisory Group. Representative Choi said that during difficult times, just having someone listen to her voice was a comfort, and she wants to be that kind of comfort to others. She pledged to work so that many people’s lives can be improved through policies and legislation in the future.

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