Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Blind people should be allowed on roller-coasters: court
The T-Express in Everland. / Korea Times file
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
A court has ruled that visually impaired people should be allowed to ride roller-coasters.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled Thursday that Everland, a major theme park in Yongin, has to compensate each of three visually challenged customers 2 million won ($1,750) after blocking them from riding its T-Express roller-coaster three years ago.
The court also ordered the company to revise its guideline that restricts such people from enjoying some of its rides.
“There is little evidence to support the argument that the roller-coaster would be more risky for the plaintiffs than others,” the court said. “Thus, it should be considered an act of discrimination against disabled people.”
The three filed a damage suit against the company after they were denied access to the ride in May 2015.
Among Everland's 46 rides, disabled people do not have access to three, including the Bumper Car and the T-Express, and they need “guardians” to get access to four others, according to the guideline.