A video of a protest held by the National Coalition for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Jeonjangyeon) at the Louvre Museum in Paris in 2024 has resurfaced, igniting discussions among internet users.
The protest, which took place in Europe, has led to criticisms questioning whether the ability of disabled individuals to travel to France indicates that their transportation rights are already sufficiently guaranteed.
On August 9, various online communities and social media platforms saw the spread of the video showing Jeonjangyeon members lying on the floor in front of the Louvre's iconic painting, "Liberty Leading the People." During the protest, they chanted slogans urging for the rights of disabled individuals to be recognized, stating their intention to raise awareness of disability rights issues in South Korea on an international stage.
Jeonjangyeon reportedly organized a delegation of about 40 activists, both disabled and non-disabled, called the "Paris Paralympics Special Envoy Group," which visited Oslo, Berlin, and Paris over a 15-day period in conjunction with the Paris Paralympics.
As the video gained traction again, netizens expressed critical views, stating, "The fact that they could even travel to Europe proves that transportation options are accessible," and "If they could go to France, then they should be able to travel anywhere." Others remarked, "The protest itself is a form of modern art."
Conversely, some argue that the protest's purpose was to highlight South Korea's disability rights issues abroad, suggesting that the intent should be considered.
While Jeonjangyeon aimed to bring attention to disability rights in South Korea, opinions remain divided online regarding the logistics of the trip, the protest methods, and associated costs.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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