130 staff pre-deployed at City Hall Station still could not prevent an 8-minute delay on Line 1 during Wednesday's protest by a disability advocacy group; legal action underway on 9 fronts as illegal tent sit-in faces demolition order
Seoul Metro said it will apply a zero-tolerance policy and respond forcefully, in accordance with the Railway Safety Act and other relevant laws, to illegal subway boarding protests that a disability advocacy group resumed Wednesday.
The group staged an illegal overnight stay inside City Hall Station on Tuesday before taking to the Line 1 platform at City Hall Station during the Wednesday morning rush hour to conduct a boarding protest. The demonstration delayed a southbound Line 1 train by about eight minutes and caused congestion at the station, significantly disrupting commuters.
In anticipation of the announced protest, Seoul Metro pre-positioned 130 personnel at the scene — including about 100 subway security officers — and broadcast evacuation warnings under the Railway Safety Act to deter interference with train operations.
Seoul Metro said it will maintain its zero-tolerance stance against illegal acts that hold commuters' basic right to mobility hostage, and will respond with all available measures including civil and criminal legal action. The agency currently has nine lawsuits — five criminal and four civil — pending against the group over charges including obstruction of traffic and interference with business operations.
Seoul Metro also said it will take strict action against the group's illegal tent sit-in that has continued in the transfer corridor between Line 1 and Line 2 at City Hall Station since April 24. To secure pedestrian safety and prevent fire and other safety hazards, the agency issued a voluntary-removal notice on June 26.
If the structure is not removed by the July 10 deadline, Seoul Metro plans to immediately initiate legal proceedings — including a lawsuit seeking demolition of the unauthorized structure — to restore normal passage conditions for commuters as quickly as possible.
"We will work closely with relevant authorities to respond strictly in accordance with the law and principles against any illegal acts that interfere with train operations or threaten public safety, and we will do our utmost to minimize inconvenience to citizens," Seoul Metro President Kim Tae-gyun said.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
