These days, a demonstration of Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) is attracting attention from many people. What they are requiring is ‘the right of movement.’ Their demands seem very basic for people who don’t have hindrances; however, society doesn’t provide them to move without any inconvenience. Moreover, a social atmosphere for the non-disabled to consider the disabled who have inconveniences in movement isn’t formed in Korea yet. Their protests are causing disruptions to subway service by interrupting the exit door’s opening and shutting during rush hour, making some citizens dissatisfied and backlash with their demonstration. 

The requirement that SADD is demanding is ‘securing the budget for the escape of facilities for the disabled.’ Last August 21st, 2021, the government published the roadmap for the escape of facilities for the disabled. They are implementing a pilot project to support the independence of disabled communities who have left the facility. However, SADD is calling for increasing the budget of the project, currently allocated to 2.4 billion won, to 620 billion won, expanding the operation cost of special transportation for the disabled, providing supportive housing, and promising a declaration to promote mobility rights for the disabled in Gyeonggi Province. For these requirements, they interrupt the opening and shutting of the subway’s exit door during weekday rush hour on Train Number 4 and 5 to delay the train service. In response, some citizens criticize their demo by yelling and curse words or saying they can’t get support and sympathize from public opinion through damage to others. 

Nevertheless, the demonstration method needs to dis-ease society to attract attention from the community. In the example of the cargo and bus driver’s strike, they are claiming their rights to the government by causing discomfort to society, and the government has to compromise and meet their demands. Likewise, SADD is also causing discomfort to the community to gain their rights. People have to support to receive their due rights to move.

최 보식. “웬만한 지하철역에 장애인 엘리베이터와 저상버스도 도입돼 있지만...” 최보식 의 언론, 28 Mar. 2022, https://www.bosik.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=6068. 

정 다민. “장애인 지하철 시위가 끝나지 않는 이유...'불법' 비판에 참가자들 '무관심보다 오해 받겠다'.” BBC News 코리아, BBC, 28 Sept. 2022, https://www.bbc.com/korean/news-63057030. 

윤 승진. “점거 시위 전장연... 요구사항은?” 공감신문, 1 Aug. 2022, https://www.gokorea.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=726382. 

김규빈 강남포스트 학생기자  webmaster@ignnews.kr

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