In Seoul, an agreement suspends the protests in the subway
After 73 actions since 2021, a South Korean collective suspends its protests in the subway. In return, elected officials in Seoul promise two laws to strengthen the mobility and employment of people with disabilities.
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On August 24, 2026, Solidarity Against Discrimination of the Disabled (SADD) announced the complete suspension of its boarding protests in the Seoul subway. The collective organized these actions during rush hours to demand more public resources and to truly respect the right to mobility of people with disabilities.
This decision follows a "major social compromise" reached with the elected officials of the Democratic Party in the Seoul city council and the local branch of the party. The participants aim to promote a city where disability no longer constitutes an obstacle to dignity, social participation, and autonomy.
Two promises expected in the city council
The Democratic elected officials have committed to adopting two proposals during an upcoming plenary session. The first aims to improve transportation for people who encounter obstacles in commuting. The second concerns the employment of disabled persons and support for professional reintegration, notably through the recognition of public jobs focused on rights.
The Democratic Party holds 80 of the 118 seats in the city council, giving significant weight to this promise. However, the formal acceptance of the texts, their funding, and implementation will remain decisive to translate the political agreement into concrete improvements.
A mobilization of nearly five years
Since December 3, 2021, SADD has organized 73 protests in the subway during rush hours. These actions highlighted the ongoing difficulties in accessing transportation, work, and social life for disabled people while causing tensions with users and authorities.
The suspension concerns the protests in the subway. Other forms of mobilization, particularly regarding the rollout of low-floor buses, are expected to continue. Thus, the agreement marks a new phase in the dialogue, but not the end of demands for universally accessible mobility.
Sources
- Yonhap News Agency — article in French
- KBS World — commitment on regulations
- Kyunghyang Shinmun — content of the announced texts
- The Chosun Daily — continuation of mobilization around buses
#Disability, #Accessibility, #Mobility, #HumanRights, #Seoul, #SouthKorea, #AccessibleTransport, #Inclusion, #Work, #Autonomy
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