Seoul Subway Line 4 Protest by Disability Rights Group Causes Major Delays for Commuters

[Financial News] Commuters faced significant inconvenience during rush hour due to a subway protest by the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against the Disabled.
According to Seoul Metro, starting at 8:31 a.m. on the 18th, southbound trains on Seoul Subway Line 4 at Gireum Station and, from 8:33 a.m., northbound trains on Seoul Subway Line 5 at Gwanghwamun Station bypassed the stations without stopping due to the protest. At 8:50 a.m., southbound trains at Gwanghwamun Station also skipped the stop. Normal service resumed at Gireum Station at 8:56 a.m. and at Gwanghwamun Station around 9 a.m.
However, more than 10 activists from the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against the Disabled who had boarded at Gireum Station disembarked at Dongdaemun Station and continued their protest. As a result, northbound trains at Dongdaemun Station were unable to depart from 8:43 a.m. to 9:38 a.m., causing a 55-minute delay. This led to further delays for other trains, significantly disrupting subway operations.
Many commuters experienced major inconvenience as a result. Mr. Kim, 36, an office worker, said, "I had to attend a meeting, but I was stuck on the subway due to the protest. Fearing I would be late, I had no choice but to get off and take a taxi." Ms. Jung, 31, added, "I was stuck at one station on Line 4 for over 20 minutes. The conductor announced that he didn't know when the train would depart, so I had to get off as well."
The National Solidarity for the Elimination of Discrimination against the Disabled is holding rush hour subway campaigns to urge the government to guarantee budgetary support for the rights of people with disabilities.
welcome@fnnews.com Reporter Yuha Jang, Jiyoon Seo Reporter