December 3, 2024 marks the 32nd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which was officially designated in 1992 to commemorate the adoption of the global disability action plan by the 37th United Nations General Assembly (December 3, 1982). 31 years ago, the first International Day of Persons with Disabilities began with people with disabilities all around the world seizing the microphone from politicians on the stage and trying to make their voices heard. It was meant to reproach politicians for having looked the other way in relation to the rights of the disabled and to resist widespread attitudes embodying mere pity taking.

On December 3, 2024, the Korean disability movement will have a 2-day long protest. December is a crucial political month in Korea because this is customarily when important discussions around the government budget and legislation happen. They call for the enactment of seven disability rights laws (Act on Guarantee of Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Act on Promotion of the Transportation Convenience of Mobility Disadvantaged Persons, Special Act on Supporting Jobs Focusing on Disability Rights, Act on Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Act on Guarantee of Rights of Independent Life of Persons with Disabilities, Act on Life-long Learning of Persons with Disabilities, Act on Special Education) to achieve institutional changes, and demand a commensurate budget for those laws to ensure their full implementation.

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