The National Coalition for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (전장연) announced a protest at Seoul Station on the morning of August 24.
In a statement via social media, 전장연 said, "We will conduct the 73rd 'Subway Ride for Commuters' at 8 a.m. at the Line 1 platform (toward City Hall Station) to demand the guarantee of next year's budget for disability rights."
Seoul Metro also warned that a protest by a "specific disability organization" was scheduled for 8 a.m. on Lines 1 and 4, which could lead to significant delays in train operations in the affected areas. They advised commuters to be aware that trains may bypass the stations where the protests occur.
On August 19, Park Hong-geun, the Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, held a private meeting with 전장연 leader Park Kyung-seok for about an hour.
According to Yonhap News, Park stated after the meeting that it was not a negotiation regarding the budget, but he provided a detailed explanation of the budget requests made by 전장연.
Minister Park reportedly responded that he would "thoroughly review" the demands made by 전장연. He also reiterated a request for 전장연 to cease its subway protests.
Park expressed that it was his first experience having such a direct conversation with the Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination and viewed the meeting positively.
전장연 announced that they would cancel their planned subway ride promotion at Seoul Station but confirmed that the subway protest would proceed as scheduled at 8 a.m. on August 24, after which they would clarify their stance on the continuation of the protests.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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