The Seoul Facilities Corporation, which operates the disabled call taxi service in Seoul, has been criticized for rejecting applications from severely disabled individuals, disregarding a recent Supreme Court ruling against such practices. The case involves a man named Kim, who has significant lower body impairments due to complications from tuberculosis meningitis and who applied for the taxi service but was denied based on restrictive criteria set by the corporation. Despite having severe mobility issues, Kim was informed that his disability did not classify him sufficiently to qualify for the service according to the Corporation's narrow interpretation of regulations.

In January, the city of Seoul responded to Kim's complaint lodged through the National Complaint Center, asserting that while they reviewed his case closely, they determined he did not meet the criteria for severe disability and mobility impairment. This information comes as the Central District Court prepares to hear Kim's case against the Corporation, marking a critical step in the ongoing dispute. Kim's legal team argues that not providing him access to the service significantly hampers his ability to navigate the city and affects his daily life, emphasizing the necessity of immediate judicial intervention to rectify this discrimination.

The Supreme Court had previously ruled against the Corporation in a similar case last September, finding their restrictive interpretation of who qualifies to use the disabled taxi service unjust. It stated that the limitations placed on users were too narrow and unjustifiable, setting a precedent for future cases. Following this ruling, the implications for the Corporation are significant as they challenge the practices that have led to systematic discrimination against severely disabled individuals, emphasizing the need for compliance with the law and respect for the rights of those with disabilities.