“Guide dogs for the disabled cannot be denied entry to restaurants”… Strengthening protection of the rights of the disabled

□ The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Chairman Yoo Cheol-hwan, hereinafter referred to as the National Human Rights Commission) has decided to prepare measures to strengthen education and publicity to improve awareness of assistance dogs for the disabled, following cases in which guide dogs* assisting the disabled were denied entry to restaurants in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do and Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do.

Assistance dogs for the disabled: Special purpose dogs trained to support the activities of the disabled, including guide dogs for the visually impaired, assistance dogs for the hearing impaired, assistance dogs for the physically disabled, and therapy dogs that assist people with mental or physical disabilities.
□ Mr. K, who has a brain lesion and intellectual disability, visited a restaurant in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do with his assistance dog in September, but despite showing the ‘Assistance Dog Registration Certificate for the Disabled’ issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the restaurant owner refused to let him in, saying, “Dogs are not allowed,” and he was unable to use the restaurant.

A few days later, Mr. K visited another restaurant in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, but this time, the restaurant management did not allow the service dog to enter, saying, “It may cause trouble to other customers.” Mr. K had no choice but to tie his service dog outside and use the restaurant. In September, Mr. K filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, citing the need to improve awareness of service dogs for the disabled.

□ Article 40 of the “Disabled Persons Welfare Act” stipulates that “No person may, without just cause, refuse to allow a disabled person accompanied by a guide dog with a guide dog tag to enter public transportation, public places, accommodations, food service establishments, or other multi-use facilities.” Violators of this provision are subject to a fine of up to 3 million won.

Accordingly, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea investigated the circumstances surrounding the refusal of the restaurants in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do and Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do to allow the entry of service dogs for the disabled, and came up with measures to improve awareness of service dogs for the disabled. The local governments in question plan to prepare and implement measures to improve awareness of service dogs for the disabled by producing promotional materials for the entry of service dogs and strengthening education on related laws.

□ Yang Jong-sam, Director of the Ombudsman’s Office at the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, said, “Although the Disabled Welfare Act guarantees the entry of assistance dogs, in reality, there are still frequent cases of assistance dogs being denied entry.” He added, “We hope that by strengthening public relations to improve awareness of assistance dogs, a culture will be established in which persons with disabilities can comfortably use public facilities with assistance dogs.”

Editor. Hong Se-young