Changwon Disability Groups Launch Indefinite Sit-in ... "Immediately Implement Agreement on Mobility and Rights"

Disabled persons' organizations in Changwon, Gyeongnam have begun an indefinite sit-in protest, demanding that the Changwon municipal government implement its policy agreement on guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Changwon Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities held a press conference at the city hall press center on August 11, declaring, "Persons with disabilities are not subjects of charity or pity but are citizens of Changwon and should be guaranteed equal rights as citizens." The group announced, "We call for the immediate implementation of the policy agreement and will enter an indefinite sit-in protest until the agreement is carried out."

The Changwon Coalition for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities in Gyeongnam is declaring the start of an indefinite hunger strike protest in front of Changwon City Hall, urging the immediate implementation of the policy agreement to guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities.
[Photo by Se-ryeong Lee]

The solidarity group argued that Mayor Kang Ki-yoon of Changwon signed a policy agreement with them during the 9th nationwide local elections—an agreement guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities, including the right to mobility, education, independent living, and employment—but claimed he has not presented any concrete plans for implementation since taking office.

They stated, "The rights of persons with disabilities should no longer be subject to administrative review," and demanded, "Immediately implement the terms of the agreement."

Their demands include the introduction of at least one special transportation vehicle for bedridden disabled persons, increasing the number of special transportation vehicles (call taxis for the transportation disadvantaged) and drivers in the Jinhae area, and amending the Changwon municipal ordinance on transportation convenience for the mobility disadvantaged to allow visually impaired and developmentally disabled persons to utilize special transportation vehicles.

Other items include installation of boarding platforms for disabled persons at Changwon Intercity Bus Terminal and Masan Nambu Intercity Bus Terminal, elimination of voucher taxi exception routes and full introduction of low-floor buses, installation of notification services at bus stops for the transportation disadvantaged, introduction of demand-responsive transport (DRT) vehicles equipped with lifts, and offering free bus rides for disabled persons through integration with K-Pass.

They also called for the enactment of the Changwon Ordinance on Support for Lifelong Education for Disabled Persons and for Changwon to be designated as a lifelong learning city for persons with disabilities.

Additional demands include establishing Changwon as a barrier-free city for all, formulating a five-year plan for deinstitutionalization and independent living following the enactment of the Disability Rights Assurance Act, maintaining support for new users of additional city support projects for persons with disabilities, expanding the number of recipients for 24-hour activity support services to at least 50 severely disabled bedridden persons, easing criteria for independent living for severely disabled persons living alone, and supporting independent living facilities and discrimination-free independent living centers.

The demands further include expanding the 'peer counselor' type of disability welfare jobs and increasing rights-based public job opportunities tailored for persons with mental disabilities and mental health conditions.

The Changwon Disabled Persons Discrimination Elimination Coalition in Gyeongnam has set up a tent in front of Changwon City Hall and started an indefinite hunger strike, urging the immediate implementation of the policy agreement to guarantee the rights of disabled persons.
Photo by Seryoung Lee

The participating organizations stated, "This protest represents the minimum demand for realizing the right to equality guaranteed by the Constitution, as well as the right to mobility, education, work, and living together in a chosen local community," adding, "The mayor should officially declare the implementation of the agreement and immediately release a specific timeline and budget plan."

They also urged the establishment of a regular consultative body with disability organizations to transparently monitor policy implementation.

Following the press conference, the groups marched in front of the city hall's main entrance and began their sit-in protest by setting up tents on the sidewalk beside the city hall front gate.

The protest and press conference were attended by eight organizations: the Changwon Branch of the Gyeongnam Center for Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities, the Changwon Branch of the National Solidarity for the Right to Mobility of Persons with Disabilities, the Changwon Branch of the Gyeongnam Rights-Based Customized Public Jobs Association for the Severely Disabled, the Changwon Branch of the National Association for Night Schools for Persons with Disabilities, the Changwon Center for Development of Peer Counseling for Persons with Disabilities, the Jinhae Center for Independent Living for the Disabled, the Jinhae Center for Disabled Persons’ Rights, and the Jinhae Lifelong School for Persons with Disabilities.

Commenting on the press conference and protest, Changwon City stated, "We have never denied either the policy agreement itself or its purpose," and added, "We deeply agree that guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities—including the right to mobility, education, work, and independent living—is an important value that must be achieved by the local community as a whole."

The city further noted, "We are currently reviewing and seeking to understand each item in the policy agreement, respecting its purpose and meaning, which was established to guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities. We will concretize feasible tasks so that the purpose of the agreement is faithfully reflected in municipal policy, and we will continue communication with disability organizations."

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