South Korea

Disability activists sued by subway bosses for causing 'major disruption' :

Disability activists in South Korea being sued by the subway Authority for causing

major disruption in Seoul . In the morning Rush Hour solidarity against disability

discrimination say they want all stations to be wheelchair accessible .More

funding allocated to disability Provisions in the National budget .The Authority's

Hardline response has led to a bitter Feud and clashes between demonstrators and

security forces Nick Marsh's report from the capital contains scenes that some viewers

may find distressing in Seoul . There's a battle happening at rush hour underground

disabled South Koreans want equal access to their City subway system blocking trained

doors and shaving their heads in protest Souls mayor has vowed Zero Tolerance . But it

hasn't stopped the demonstrations I've been hit by commuters I've been followed home .

People shout at us they say why don't you stay at home .The gap between disabled and

non-disabled people here is so huge that we have to continue among commuters though

sympathy is in short supply . I was one hour late from a Hospital appointment because

of this why would it have to cause harm to innocent citizens look at all this how many

facilities the disabled already have I agree with the police the people here say they

want to be able to get around their own City . Just like everybody else they've gone about

it hasn't exactly won the many friends from commuters then again neither has the response

from the authorities it's been pretty quiet . Here this morning and yet the people here

have been outnumbered by police and Riot police by about five to one it's not a great look

the authorities say spending on Mobility Provisions has more than doubled this year . But

this isn't just about the numbers it's about attitudes to disability and a group of people

who say they feel invisible in wider Society g-min's been using a wheelchair since recovering

from cancer aged four Every Day brings new challenges for her and her mother they design

interactive maps .She can't go not accessible showing where disabled people can and

can't go not accessible at 17 jimin's from a very different generation to those protesting

on the subway but she credits them for forcing people to rethink their attitudes .Towards this

ability in South Korean Society right now you don't see disabled people enough our

life has always been stuck at home keeping up on going places even if you want to go somewhere.

We want to show the world that we exist newly accessible place it's good . I

didn't know those in charge say they won't accept any more protests because they cause harm

to ordinary South Koreans . I was protesting say that ordinary South Koreans is exactly what

they are right .

#SouthKorea #Seoul #SubWay #DisabilityActivists #MajorDisruption #Sued

#Bosses #January #2023