Disability Rights Group Stages Road Occupation Protest in Central Seoul During Morning Rush Hour

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- A disability rights advocacy group staged a road occupation protest in central Seoul during Tuesday's morning rush hour, causing severe traffic congestion and injuring a police officer who attempted to maintain order. About 40 members of the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination began the protest near Jonggak Station in the central ward of Jongno at 8:15 a.m., occupying bus lanes on both sides of the main road for about 35 minutes. The protesters called for the expansion of disabled-friendly low-floor buses and other measures to guarantee mobility rights for people with disabilities. A protester climbed onto a stopped bus and unfurled a banner with a slogan demanding the guarantee of mobility rights for the disabled. One police officer sustained rib injuries after colliding with a wheelchair while attempting to snatch the banner and was transported to the National Medical Center. Other members of the group simultaneously staged similar protests at two other locations of the capital, occupying roads and bus stops on Sejongdaero and Gwanghwamun Square.