Disability Rights Protest Disrupts Seoul Subway Service

Seoul, South Korea – A protest by the Korean Federation on Disability Discrimination (KFFF) disrupted subway services at Seoul Station on August 18, 2026. Activists participating in the '72nd Commute Subway Ride' demonstration staged a sit-in on the platform, leading to significant service interruptions. Due to the protest, trains on the southbound Line 1 (towards Guro) and the northbound Line 4 (towards Bulamsan) bypassed Seoul Station, refusing to stop. Seoul Metro announced the service suspension around 8:49 AM, advising passengers to plan their travel accordingly. The federation indicated their intention to continue the protest by taking the subway again after alighting at Dongdaemun Station. This action is part of an ongoing campaign by the KFFF advocating for improved rights and accessibility for people with disabilities. The group has been staging regular protests, often during peak commute hours, to draw attention to their demands, which typically include calls for increased budget allocation for disability services and improved transportation accessibility.