Seoul Metro said on the 2nd that it will apply a zero-tolerance policy and respond firmly to an illegal subway-boarding protest resumed by a particular disability group, in accordance with the Railroad Safety Act and other relevant laws.
The Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination began a rush-hour subway-boarding protest at City Hall Station on Seoul Subway Line 1 from 8 a.m. that day. It was about six months after the group halted protests upon accepting Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Young-bae's proposal to suspend "subway delay protests" through the local elections in January.
According to Seoul Metro, a downbound Line 1 train was delayed about eight minutes due to the illegal protest that day. The disability group also engaged in an illegal sleep-in inside City Hall Station on the night of the 1st.
Seoul Metro plans to respond firmly, including with civil and criminal legal action, to illegal acts that hold citizens' basic right to mobility hostage. The company is currently pursuing legal action against the particular disability group's illegal protests for obstructing transportation and business. In connection with this, a total of nine lawsuits are underway, including five criminal and four civil cases.
In addition, Seoul Metro plans strict measures against the group's illegal tent sit-in that has continued since Apr. 24 in the transfer passage between Lines 1 and 2 at City Hall Station. If removal is not carried out by Jul. 10, the company plans to immediately begin legal procedures, including a lawsuit seeking removal of unauthorized structures. Earlier, on Jun. 26, Seoul Metro issued a voluntary removal notice.
Kim Tae-gyun, president of Seoul Metro, said, "We will respond strictly, in cooperation with relevant agencies, according to the law and principles to illegal acts that disrupt train operations or threaten citizen safety," adding, "We will do our best to minimize inconvenience to citizens."