Disabled activists end subway protests after compromise with DPK
Representatives of the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination, the Democratic Party of Korea of the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the ruling party's Seoul city chapter hold a news conference at the council building in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
A disability rights advocacy group announced Monday it would completely halt its subway-riding protests, which have been frequently staged in Seoul to call for increased government spending for people with disabilities and their mobility rights.
The announcement from the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) came after the group met with the ruling party members of the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) Seoul city chapter to declare a "grand social compromise" aimed at guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities.
The participants in the meeting said in a resolution, "We resolve to stand in solidarity until the end to create an equal society where disability is not a barrier and a city where people can enjoy dignity beyond mere survival."
The DPK also promised to pass two new ordinances meant to guarantee the mobility and labor rights of people with disabilities at the upcoming plenary session of the Seoul city council.
Welcoming the party's decision, SADD said it would completely suspend its protests at subway stations.
SADD has staged a total of 73 subway-riding protests during the morning rush hour since Dec. 3, 2021, demanding greater rights and mobility for people with disabilities.