YouTuber Park Wi falls on KTX train, sparking debate over wheelchair ramp safety

YouTuber Park Wi, the husband of singer Song Ji-eun, experienced a fall while disembarking a KTX train in his wheelchair, bringing the safety and operational procedures of the train's wheelchair ramps into sharp focus. A CCTV video of the incident, released by Park on his YouTube channel, showed his wheelchair wheel getting caught on the foot of a social worker assisting with the ramp, causing him to tumble forward.

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As I slid down the ramp, I suddenly saw a foot in front of me. The wheelchair wheel got caught on his foot, and my body was thrown forward onto the floor.

Park explained that while he did not believe the social worker acted intentionally, he was angered by the ramp not being properly secured. "As I slid down the ramp, I suddenly saw a foot in front of me," Park recounted. "The wheelchair wheel got caught on his foot, and my body was thrown forward onto the floor."

The release of the CCTV footage, despite the social worker's apology, ignited debate regarding its appropriateness and the circumstances of its acquisition. Park subsequently deleted the video and issued an apology. The incident has transcended a personal mishap, highlighting potential structural issues with KTX's wheelchair boarding equipment and its on-site management.

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The fact that he placed his foot on the ramp itself made me angry.

Users who identify as wheelchair users have shared experiences of ramps not fully contacting the platform, requiring staff to manually stabilize them with their feet. Korail, the train operator, stated that the ramp is not designed to be fully flush with the platform to prevent foot injuries. However, they claim the weight of the wheelchair naturally ensures the ramp makes maximum contact with the floor during use. Korail also noted that this is the first accident of its kind involving a staff member's foot on the ramp.

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This is the first accident of its kind involving a staff member's foot on the ramp.