An activist from the National Federation of Persons with Disabilities (KODPA) climbs onto the roof of a No. 741 bus on the 21st, unfurling a banner, while other protesters obstruct the driver's vision with a large banner, disrupting bus operations for approximately 35 minutes. [Photo=Yonhap News]

National Federation of Persons with Disabilities (KODPA) members who occupied a bus-only lane and obstructed traffic in the Jongno area of Seoul have been reported to the police.

The civic group, Freedom Korea Homeland Association (Representative Oh Sang-jong), filed a complaint with the Jongno Police Station in Seoul on the 21st against KODPA Chairperson Park Kyung-seok, its activists, and unidentified protesters for alleged violations of the Criminal Act concerning general obstruction of traffic and business, the Assembly and Demonstration Act, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (assaulting drivers, etc.).

Jongno 2-ga Paralysis in Both Directions… Dangerous Protests Including "Occupation of Bus Roof"

According to the complaint, approximately 40 defendants occupied the bus-only lane at Jongno 2-ga near Jonggak Station on Seoul Subway Line 1 around 8:15 AM on the 21st.

On the 20th, Disability Awareness Day, KODPA holds a rally near the Seoul Museum of History bus stop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging the guarantee of mobility rights. [Photo=Yonhap News]

During this protest, one male demonstrator is accused of climbing onto the roof of a No. 741 bus and unfurling a banner, while other protesters used a large banner to block the driver's vision, halting bus operations for about 35 minutes.

Representative Oh Sang-jong emphasized that their actions went "beyond the simple freedom of assembly and constituted clear criminal acts." He further stated, "Specifically, blocking the bus driver's vision is a grave matter that goes beyond mere obstruction of business and threatens the lives of passengers and citizens on the road," strongly urging the application of the "Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, etc."

Furthermore, regarding injuries sustained by a police officer from the Jongno Police Station who was attempting to stop the protest and was injured in a collision with a wheelchair, resulting in fractured ribs, he requested a thorough investigation into the facts during the inquiry to determine if there were any violations of "obstruction of official duties and bodily harm."

"Five Years of Lenient Approach Has Cultivated a Monster... Urging Strict Investigation"

The Freedom Korea Homeland Association criticized the lenient response from investigative authorities, arguing that it has entrenched illegal activities, despite KODPA obstructing subway and bus operations for the past five years since 2021, causing inconvenience to citizens.

Representative Oh stated, "While the Constitution of the Republic of Korea guarantees freedom of assembly, it must be exercised within the boundaries of laws and common sense." He added, "Disability is not a source of power, and actions that infringe upon the basic rights of others for one's own objectives cannot be justified by any rationale."

He further urged, "The accused individuals must be identified as joint perpetrators, and a swift arrest and severe punishment should be imposed to demonstrate the gravity of the rule of law."

Reporter Lim Yo-hee