"Will Accessibility Finally Improve?"... Yangdong Market Station Elevator Construction Begins After 20 Years in Gwangju

Repeated Delays Due to Narrow Structure and Technical Challenges
Only One Wheelchair Lift Available, Causing Long Wait Times
Merchants and Disability Groups Expect Improved Accessibility

On the morning of the 9th, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the installation of an external elevator at Yangdong Market Station held on the first floor of Yangdong Market Station, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, Gwangju City Council Member Kang Suhun, members of the Yangdong Market Merchants Association, and representatives from the Gwangju Solidarity for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo by Min Chanki

The installation of an above-ground elevator at Yangdong Market Station-the only station on Gwangju Metro Line 1 that has lacked an external elevator for over 20 years-is now moving forward in earnest.

On the morning of December 9, the Gwangju Metropolitan Government, Gwangju Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, Yangdong Market Merchants Association, and the Gwangju Solidarity for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the external elevator on the first floor of Yangdong Market Station.

Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony, including Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, Gwangju City Council Member Kang Suhun (The Minjoo Party of Korea, Seo-gu 1), representatives from the Gwangju Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, and members of the Gwangju Solidarity for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination.

The event included an opening ceremony, a project progress report, welcoming remarks, congratulatory speeches, a safety declaration, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The external elevator at Yangdong Market Station, with a total project cost of 750 million won, will connect the ground level and the first basement floor at Exit 1. Completion is targeted for May next year.

Yangdong Market Station has been the only one among Gwangju’s 19 stations without a ground-level elevator, resulting in poor accessibility for wheelchair users and the elderly for over 20 years.

In the past, there were plans to install elevators near Exits 3 and 4, but due to the station’s narrow structure and technical challenges, the project was repeatedly delayed. Further complications arising from redevelopment delays ultimately led to the project being scrapped. The current plan is to install the elevator at Exit 1 after removing the existing escalator.

On the morning of the 9th, a wheelchair user is boarding a wheelchair lift at Exit 3 of Yangdong Market Station. Photo by Min Chanki

Currently, there is only one wheelchair lift installed at Yangdong Market Station, located at Exit 3. It takes about four to five minutes for the lift to reach the ground level. For larger electric wheelchairs, if they are not positioned correctly, the sensors prevent the lift from operating, so users often have to adjust their position several times. As a result, the next user may have to wait at least ten minutes, causing repeated inconvenience.

With the long-awaited construction of the external elevator finally underway, merchants at Yangdong Market have welcomed the development.

Mr. Park, who has operated a bedding store at Yangdong Market for over ten years, said, "Most of my customers are elderly, and they often mention the inconvenience of not having an elevator when using public transportation. Customers who have finished shopping often have a lot of bags, making it difficult to use the escalator. I expect that the installation of the elevator will bring more customers."

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "We had previously explored installing the elevator at Exits 3 and 4, but the complicated procedures caused delays, which was disappointing. I am grateful that we are now able to proceed with installation at Exit 1. This is not just about installing an elevator; it is a meaningful beginning that will improve accessibility for people with disabilities and the elderly."

Council Member Kang Suhun said, "It was not easy to secure enough space, but through numerous site visits and discussions with the transit corporation, we found a solution. The persistent voices of disability rights groups and the local community made this possible. The right to mobility is a fundamental right that cannot be compromised, and this project is about upholding that basic right."

Jung Sungju, Executive Director of the Gwangju Solidarity for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination, commented, "The groundbreaking for the elevator, which has been a long-standing goal, is a project that embodies the dreams and visions of people with disabilities. With the installation of the elevator at Yangdong Market Station, I expect that more people will be able to use the metro."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.