Disabled activists stage 'bus-boarding' protest in central Seoul

About 20 members of the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination staged a surprise 'bus-boarding' protest at the Gwanghwamun Station intersection in central Seoul at 8:10 a.m. on Friday. Wheelchair-bound activists attempted to board city buses, demanding a new bill to guarantee mobility rights for disabled people and the expansion of low-floor buses. The action caused partial road closures and severe traffic congestion.

A disability rights advocacy group caused disruptions in central Seoul during Friday morning rush hour with a surprise 'bus-boarding' protest. About 20 members of the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination began the action at the Gwanghwamun Station intersection at 8:10 a.m., as reported by Yonhap News Agency and The Korea Times. Wheelchair-bound activists tried to board city buses, delaying operations and clashing physically with police. Some buses reversed, and the entire four-lane road toward Seodaemun was temporarily closed, leading to severe traffic congestion. Pedestrians faced significant inconvenience. The group called for the enactment of a new bill guaranteeing mobility rights for disabled people and the expansion of disabled-friendly low-floor buses.

Related Articles

Seoul police set up barricades at Gwanghwamun Square for BTS concert crowd control amid enthusiastic fans.
Image generated by AI

Police to set up crowd control zone for 100,000 at BTS concert

Reported by AI Image generated by AI

Seoul police will establish a crowd control zone for up to 100,000 people at BTS's comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday. Officials anticipate around 260,000 attendees in the area, with stringent safety measures in place recalling the 2022 Itaewon tragedy. President Lee Jae Myung urged the public to cooperate with safety personnel and report ticket scalping.

A progressive civic group held a protest rally outside the US Embassy in Seoul on Saturday, accusing the United States of interfering in South Korea's domestic affairs. Around 500 protesters gathered, police estimated. No clashes occurred as they complied with police instructions.

Reported by AI

Following reduced bus services in Sundborn, several families have been forced to relocate and elderly residents have become isolated. Engaged locals have invited politicians and officials to a meeting to discuss solutions. The initiative is led by Malin Grönlund, Anki Ingelström, and Fredrik Gavell.

Following their announcement earlier this week, transport groups Manibela and Piston launched a three-day strike on April 15 protesting the government's limited service contracting program. Leaders criticized its narrow scope, while officials prepared aid including free rides, a P5-billion budget, and fuel discounts for affected commuters.

Reported by AI

On March 10, 2026, the first day the so-called yellow envelope law took effect, unionized subcontracted workers targeted major firms like POSCO, Hyundai Mobis and Hanwha Ocean, demanding negotiations over wages and working conditions. Unions threatened strikes if talks are refused, while companies expressed caution within legal bounds.

Hong Kong taxi leaders and Uber have raised concerns over a planned quota for ride-hailing vehicles, even as authorities pledge to consult stakeholders before finalizing the number.

Reported by AI

Authorities in Hong Kong have ordered KMB, the city's largest bus operator, to investigate glitches in its fare rebate machines that gave passengers free rides on the launch day of a revised HK$2 transport subsidy scheme. Welfare Secretary Chris Sun Yuk-han stressed that the government's system functioned correctly, with any extra costs to be borne by KMB. The Transport Department demanded an immediate probe and a full report.

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline