Disability group halts subway protests in Seoul after deal with city council

A coalition of disability rights advocates and a major political party in Seoul have agreed to suspend subway protests that have disrupted morning commutes. The agreement, announced at a press conference Tuesday, marks a significant shift for the National Federation of Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon), which has staged 73 subway "boarding" protests since December 2021.

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We will move towards a society where differences do not lead to discrimination, a society where no one is excluded.

The Seoul City Council's Democratic Party pledged to pass two key ordinances aimed at improving the rights of people with disabilities. These include measures to enhance mobility and employment opportunities. The party stated these ordinances would be presented at the upcoming assembly session, with a vote expected in September. With the Democratic Party holding a supermajority, passage is likely, even if the mayor attempts a veto.

Jeonjangyeon welcomed the council's commitment, calling it a "responsible decision." In return, the group declared a full halt to its subway boarding protests. However, the group emphasized that its weekly bus protests, held every Wednesday in Hyehwa-dong, will continue. These protests are separate from the subway actions and are part of ongoing advocacy for disability rights, including budget considerations for the upcoming year.

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We welcome the Seoul City Council's responsible decision.

The agreement signals a potential de-escalation of the disruptive protests that have become a regular feature of Seoul's public transit system. While the subway actions are ending, the advocacy for disability rights is set to continue through legislative channels and ongoing, albeit different, forms of protest.

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We will completely halt 'Riding the Subway in the Morning Commute' and continue our solidarity for the guarantee of disability rights.