"Disability Discrimination Abolition" Jeonjangyeon Subway Campaign... Seoul Metro Corporation "Best Efforts to Guarantee Mobility Rights"

by Lim Chulyoung

Published 21 Apr.2022 06:53(KST)

Updated 21 Apr.2022 07:31(KST)

Construction Company Requests Restraint on Morning Commute Campaigns

Representatives of the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities held a press conference and a head-shaving ceremony on the 20th at the platform of Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3 in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging for the budget for disability rights and the amendment of related laws. They announced that they would resume the "Taking the Subway to Work" protest, which had been temporarily suspended, on the 21st, judging that the disability policies presented by the Presidential Transition Committee were insufficient. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities announced on the 21st that it would hold a publicity campaign during the morning rush hour on Lines 2, 3, and 5, Seoul Metro requested that the campaign be refrained from during the morning commute.

On the 20th, the National Solidarity stated in a press release, “We plan to simultaneously hold the ‘27th Morning Commute Subway Ride’ at three locations: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), City Hall Station (Line 2), and Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) starting at 7 a.m. on the 21st.” If the ‘Morning Commute Subway Ride’ proceeds on Lines 2, 3, and 5, it is expected that commuters will inevitably face inconvenience.

Despite financial difficulties, Seoul Metro stated that it is making its best efforts to guarantee mobility rights for transportation-vulnerable groups, one of the demands of the National Solidarity, by investing a budget of 65 billion KRW to secure one station, one route. Among the 275 stations managed by Seoul Metro, 254 stations have secured one station, one route, and the plan is to achieve 100% coverage by 2024.

The company explained, “Among the 21 stations where this has not yet been secured, construction will be completed at five stations this year, and 13 stations are either scheduled for construction or are in the design phase.” It added, “Three stations (Sinseoldong, Kkachisan, Daehung), which had difficulties securing one station, one route due to private land issues and limited space, have found a breakthrough, enabling all stations to secure one station, one route by 2024.”

Kim Seok-ho, Head of Operations at Seoul Metro, said, “Through the National Solidarity’s publicity campaign, we feel that public interest in guaranteeing mobility rights for transportation-vulnerable groups has increased,” but added, “We hope that the publicity campaign during peak commuting hours will be refrained from as it is expected to cause significant inconvenience to citizens.”