Seosamsuk: "National Maritime Exhibition Facilities Neglect Support for Visitors with Disabilities"

Only 3.5% of Exhibits Provide Information for Visitors with Disabilities
"National Facilities Are Violating the Anti-Discrimination Law"

Seosamsuk, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker.

It has been revealed that state-run maritime exhibition facilities have failed to properly establish support systems for visitors with disabilities.

On October 29, Seosamsuk, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker representing Yeongam, Muan, and Shinan in South Jeolla Province, analyzed data submitted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries titled "Status of National Maritime Education and Exhibition Facilities." The analysis showed that only 116 out of a total of 3,254 exhibits (3.5%) at the National Maritime Museum, National Marine Science Museum, and National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea provided information specifically for people with disabilities.

The National Maritime Museum, which attracts 850,000 visitors annually and is a leading maritime cultural facility, offered only 3 tactile exhibits and 48 exhibits with audio guides and Braille panels out of 712 exhibits. In particular, short-term special exhibitions did not provide any tactile exhibits or Braille information panels, indicating that support for visitors with disabilities was merely formal.

Since its opening in 2020, the National Marine Science Museum has not provided any support services for people with disabilities, such as Braille, sign language, or audio guides. Although the museum announced earlier this year its intention to become accessible to all citizens, no actual improvements have been made.

The National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea provided audio guides for only 65 out of 2,412 exhibits, and did not offer any Braille information panels or tactile exhibits. Nevertheless, all three institutions are registered as "barrier-free tourist destinations" designated by the Korea Tourism Organization, raising questions about the effectiveness of the certification.

Seosamsuk stated, "The Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities clearly prohibits discrimination in the use of cultural, artistic, and tourism facilities by people with disabilities," and pointed out, "It is a serious problem for national public institutions to violate this law."

He further emphasized, "The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries must immediately conduct a comprehensive survey on the accessibility of exhibitions for people with disabilities and implement corrective measures against discrimination, so that national facilities can be transformed into places where everyone can enjoy maritime culture without barriers."

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