(Note: Updated with additional details in last 3 paragraphs)
SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) — Police have referred 24 disability rights activists to prosecutors for possible further investigation and prosecution for slowing subway services during rush hour subway protests. officials said on Monday.
Since the end of last year, the Solidarity Against Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (SADD) has intermittently taken subway trains at major stations in central Seoul to protest, calling for an increase in the government budget to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. I am requesting
Wheelchair-bound activists have repeatedly boarded and disembarked trains for causing delays in subway services during the morning rush hour, drawing harsh complaints from commuters.
The Seoul Namdaemun Police Station is currently investigating 29 SADD members, and has sent 24 of them to the prosecution.”
The charges imposed on them were obstruction of traffic and obstruction of subway operation by Seoul Subway.
Officials say police will either close the investigation or refer five other suspected SADD members to prosecution soon.
Later in the day, the Seoul Metro allowed 13 subway trains to skip stations in central Seoul as disabled rights activists attempted to reopen subway protests.
Subway Line 4 trains passed through Samgangji station without stopping from 3pm to 10pm as the subway operator decided to deter the train from being delayed.
The move comes after Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said last week that the Seoul city government would “not tolerate” the group’s protests.
