In June 2022, a demonstration of mobility rights for the disabled takes place on a subway. Opinions on the demonstration, which took place on the subway and on the way to work, are divided into cheering and being uncomfortable. However, it is true that it is inconvenient to move the disabled in Korea, and we should pay more attention to this.

If disabled people in wheelchairs want to use the subway, they have to go back to the elevator at the subway station on a convenient road. It is also a problem to find elevators in subway stations. When getting on and off the subway, wheelchairs are caught in the gap between the station and the train, making it difficult to get on the train without a guardian. There are also few buses available to disabled people now, and they cannot be found anywhere. In the case of disabled people, it takes more than twice as long to take a bus compared to non-disabled people. As such, it is difficult for disabled people who always have to accompany wheelchairs to use public transportation. 

Then, is there any improvement to secure the right to move the disabled? The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been expanding the number of low-floor buses, considered representative examples of universal design and barrier-free facilities, since it enacted the introduction of low-floor buses (which are convenient for people with disabilities). As of 2020, 4,272 low-floor buses were introduced in Seoul, and the introduction rate was 57.8%. (1) Also, escalators and elevators were continuously expanded to minimize inconvenience for the weak.

Efforts to expand the right to move for the weak are increasing. However, it is still difficult for disabled people to move conveniently.

(1) Ministryof Land, Infrastructure and Transport

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