Court Fines Disability Advocate for Disrupting Public Transport
A court has imposed a fine on a representative of a disability rights group for obstructing bus operations during a protest. The individual was prosecuted for interfering with business activities.
Case Details
Reports indicate that the Cheongju District Court’s Criminal Division 2, presided over by Judge Im Jin-soo, handed down a 1 million won fine to a co-representative of the Sejong Disability Solidarity Federation, identified as Mr. A, who is in his 50s. He was charged with business obstruction.
Mr. A was found to have blocked passengers from boarding a bus that was stopped at a bus stop in front of Osong Station, KTX line, in Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju City, on the afternoon of March 26, 2021. He reportedly chained himself to the bus, positioning himself at an entrance and exit to prevent boarding.
Protest Rationale and Court’s Decision
Investigations suggest that Mr. A engaged in this action as part of a demand for improved disability rights. During the legal proceedings, Mr. A argued that his actions constituted justifiable behavior within the scope of a protest.
However, the court disagreed. The ruling stated, “While we respect the plaintiff’s claims, considering the circumstances and severity of the conduct, it is difficult to deem it justifiable behavior.” The court further explained that the sentence was determined by comprehensively evaluating factors such as the criminal record and the age of the individual involved.
