South Korean Finance Minister Urges End to Disruptive Disability Protests

Finance Minister Park Yun-geun has strongly urged the National Federation of Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) to halt its recurring subway protests, which he stated are disrupting the daily lives of citizens. In a Facebook post titled 'We Must Protect Both the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Daily Lives of Citizens,' Park appealed for an end to the demonstrations that have been causing delays during commute hours for three consecutive weeks.

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I strongly request that Jeonjangyeon no longer engage in protests that disrupt the normal operation of subways and buses, causing repeated damage and inconvenience to citizens' daily lives, including their commutes.

Park acknowledged the importance of advocating for disability rights but stressed that these demands should not come at the expense of non-disabled individuals' rights or the nation's laws. He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to ensure the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities, including mobility and employment. Park personally oversees the budget allocation process for the upcoming year, ensuring that disability-related policies receive meticulous attention. He cited specific initiatives such as strengthening vocational rehabilitation services, expanding day and after-school programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, enhancing integrated care for the severely disabled, and improving income security through disability pensions and job programs.

Addressing Jeonjangyeon's specific demands, such as government funding for disability taxi drivers' wages, Park clarified that the responsibility for supporting these services largely shifted to local governments in 2005. However, he noted that the central government does provide partial funding for vehicle purchase and operational costs as part of efforts to bolster national responsibility for disability mobility, following legal revisions.

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The voices demanding the guarantee of rights for persons with disabilities should naturally be respected. However, this should not infringe upon the rights of non-disabled people or the laws of the country.

Crucially, Park emphasized that government budgets are not subject to negotiation based on the intensity of protests. He stated unequivocally that necessary disability policies and budgets are reviewed based on the needs of individuals with disabilities, policy requirements, project feasibility, and sound financial principles. He vowed that budget principles and review standards would not be altered due to protests that disrupt public transportation. The minister concluded by reiterating that protecting the daily lives of all citizens is a fundamental principle and duty of the government, urging Jeonjangyeon to commit to respecting the law and not infringing on citizens' daily routines.

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As the minister responsible for finance, I state this clearly: Government budgets are not a subject of negotiation determined by the intensity of assemblies or protests.