Why did SADD stop its subway protests in Seoul?

SADD said it would completely suspend the protests after meeting with ruling party members of the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the DPK Seoul city chapter. The group welcomed a compromise that was presented as a grand social agreement to protect disability rights.

What did the DPK promise to do for people with disabilities?

The DPK said it would pass two new ordinances at the upcoming plenary session of the Seoul city council. Those ordinances are meant to guarantee the mobility and labor rights of people with disabilities.

How many subway protests had SADD staged before ending the campaign?

SADD said it had staged 73 subway-riding protests in morning rush hour since Dec. 3, 2021. The protests were part of a campaign for greater government spending and mobility rights for people with disabilities.

Disabled activists end subway protests after compromise with DPK

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Summary

A disability rights advocacy group ended its subway-riding protests in Seoul on Monday after reaching a compromise with ruling party members and the DPK Seoul city chapter. The Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination said the deal includes a pledge to pass two ordinances at the upcoming Seoul city council plenary session. The group had staged 73 rush-hour protests since Dec. 3, 2021, to demand greater rights and mobility for people with disabilities.

Key Facts

The meeting participants described their agreement as a grand social compromise aimed at guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities.
The DPK promised to pass two new ordinances at the upcoming plenary session of the Seoul city council.
SADD said its subway protests had totaled 73 since Dec. 3, 2021.
The protests were staged during the morning rush hour and focused on government spending, mobility rights, and labor rights for people with disabilities.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 24, 2026 3:16 pm KST

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.

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