Disabled activists stage 'bus-boarding' protest in central Seoul

A disability rights advocacy group staged a "bus-boarding" protest in central Seoul during the morning rush hour on Friday, causing partial road closures and severe traffic congestion.

About 20 members of the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SAAD) began the protest at the Gwanghwamun Station intersection at 8:10 a.m. They called for the enactment of a new bill that guarantees mobility rights for disabled people and the expansion of low-floor buses.

During the protest, wheelchair users attempted to board city buses, delaying operations. Several buses reversed, and authorities temporarily shut down all four lanes toward Seodaemun. 

Police deployed riot units to block the activists and issued warnings before physically removing them. Some activists resisted, which resulted in clashes with officers. 

Some activists later occupied a bus-only lane heading toward Gwanghwamun at around 8:35 a.m., prompting police to reroute buses to general traffic lanes.

Activists then moved to the sidewalk in front of a nearby Kyobo Book Centre store and held a rally, which police said they considered an unreported assembly and planned to disperse. 

SAAD said the protest formed part of a series of actions following an overnight sit-in at Gwanghwamun Station the day before.

The group was set to announce its policy demands in front of the presidential office at 10 a.m. 

BY KIM JU-YEON, YONHAP [[email protected]]