This was written by Park Hyunjin and his daughter, a student at the University of Pécs. They are both volunteers with the People First Association for 2025–2026.
Transportation: Progress and Challenges
Over the past 20 years, accessibility in South Korea has improved significantly, especially in public transportation.
In major cities like Seoul, most subway stations now have elevators and tactile paving, and city buses are equipped with wheelchair ramps.
An interesting feature is that bus apps display in real time whether a bus is wheelchair accessible, helping users plan their trips more easily. In addition, many local governments operate special “call taxis” for people with disabilities, offering more affordable and flexible transport options.
However, in smaller towns, older stations, and private buildings, accessibility is still limited, highlighting the gap between urban and rural areas.
Accessible Tourism: Official Initiatives
In recent years, South Korea has promoted “barrier-free tourism” as part of its official policy.
The Korea Tourism Organization and local governments, such as Seoul and Jeju, provide online guides and maps. In Seoul, the Danurim service offers detailed information on routes, accommodations, and even wheelchair rentals.
However, most guides still focus on major tourist destinations, while smaller towns or traditional sites often lack reliable information. Without a nationwide database, travelers with disabilities often rely on scattered sources or word of mouth.
Still, improvements at places like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jeju’s Olle trails—including ramps and accessible restrooms—show that accessibility is becoming a key part of Korea’s tourism strategy.
Legislation and Support
South Korea’s Disability Discrimination Act (2008) requires new public buildings to be barrier-free and sets employment quotas for companies.
Subsidies are available for assistive devices, and public transportation must provide low-floor buses and elevators. However, older infrastructure and many private facilities remain inaccessible, highlighting ongoing implementation challenges.
Civil Organizations and Community Initiatives
Civil society plays a crucial role in improving accessibility. Independent Living Centers (ILCs) in Korea support people with disabilities in areas such as housing, employment, and community life.
NGOs like Good Neighbors and advocacy groups also provide services and raise awareness.
From my volunteer experience, I saw that small changes—like adding ramps or accessible restrooms—greatly increased participation in local events. These examples demonstrate the real impact of community efforts, even though many people with disabilities in Korea still rely primarily on family support.
Digital Accessibility
There is no nationwide database for accessible facilities. Some local governments and apps, such as Seoul Danurim or Wheelmap Korea, provide partial information, but major platforms like Naver Maps and Kakao Maps offer very limited accessibility data.
As a result, many people depend on online communities or word of mouth.
Social Attitudes
In recent years, Korean society has become more open toward disability, and social media and 
popular culture have played a key role in this shift.
On YouTube, creators like One Shot Hansol, a blind content creator, share everyday experiences, such as navigating buses and subways, vlogs from schools for the visually impaired, and conversations with other people with disabilities. His approachable and honest style helps viewers understand the real challenges of daily accessibility.
An example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK4a9f7_wwM
Inspiring Examples of Social Inclusion
Big Ocean – South Korea’s First Deaf Idol Group:
Despite being deaf, they perform music and dance, and their world tours in Europe and the United States have inspired many people with their story of breaking barriers.
Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aO2P5Tby-4
People with Disabilities in Mainstream Media:
In the drama Our Blues (2022), Jung Eun Hye, an actress with Down syndrome and a painter, played Young Hee, the twin sister of a main character. Her warm and authentic performance was praised for bringing viewers closer to the everyday lives of people with disabilities, helping shift public perceptions in a positive way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYRR91az76U
Together, these examples show that increased visibility in media and culture is gradually raising awareness and fostering acceptance, encouraging society to see people with disabilities not as separate, but as active and inspiring members of the community.
