Disabled protesters forced out of Seoul subway station

Disability rights activists were forcibly taken out of a Seoul subway station on Tuesday before staging a "subway-riding" protest for the second consecutive day.

The activists who belong to the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) planned to launch their protest from 8 a.m. at Hyehwa Station on Subway Line 4, demanding an increased budget for disabled people and their mobility rights.

But Seoul Metro blocked the activists, citing the railway safety law, and requested them to leave.

As the activists refused to comply, Seoul Metro's subway security officers dragged them out of the station at 8:16 a.m. Shouting matches and physical clashes occurred during the forced eviction.

Some activists continued the rally after moving to a different location near Seoul National University Hospital.

Lee Hyung-sook, a co-leader of the group, said she plans to file a complaint against Seoul Metro, citing injuries to her shoulders from the dispute and her broken wheelchair.

On Monday, wheelchair-bound SADD activists repeatedly boarded and disembarked trains, or deliberately boarded trains slowly, at the same station, disrupting train operations during morning rush hours.

The Seoul city government had warned of "stern measures" against illegal acts on Monday, and plans to file a criminal complaint on charges of business obstruction and a damages suit against the activist group.

Source : https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250422002851315

Comprehension

What group organized the subway protest?
Where did the protest take place?
What were the activists demanding during the protest?
How did Seoul Metro respond to the planned protest?
At what time were the protesters forcibly removed from the station?
What law did Seoul Metro cite as the reason for blocking the protest?
What happened when the protesters refused to leave?
What injuries did Lee Hyung-sook claim she sustained?
How did the activists protest on Monday?
What legal actions does the Seoul city government plan to take?

Discussion

Do you think the protesters were right to use the subway to raise awareness? Why or why not?
How should governments balance public order with the right to protest?
What are some other ways people with disabilities can advocate for better mobility rights?
How do protests like this affect public opinion about disability rights?
Do you think the response from Seoul Metro was fair? Why or why not?
What challenges do people with disabilities face in public transportation?
Should city budgets prioritize accessibility improvements? Why or why not?
How can public transport systems become more inclusive?
What are the consequences of forcibly removing protesters?
If you were a policymaker, how would you address the concerns raised by SADD?

Vocabulary

Activists – People who campaign for social or political change.
Mobility rights – The right of people, especially those with disabilities, to move freely and access transportation.
Eviction – The act of forcing someone to leave a place.
Railway safety law – Legal rules made to keep train stations and railways safe.
Complaint – A formal statement that someone has been treated unfairly or harmed.
Disrupting – Causing something to stop or not work as it should.
Rush hours – The busiest travel times, usually in the morning and evening when people go to and from work.
Business obstruction – A legal term for actions that interfere with normal business operations.
Damages suit – A legal case asking for money to make up for harm or loss.
Inclusive – Open to and supportive of everyone, regardless of differences or abilities.