Asia-Pacific, Built Environment, News, December 18 2019

NORTH KOREA: North Korea has adopted a bill requiring all buildings to be wheelchair accessible, according to state media.North Korea said the law would improve facilities for the disabled, Pyongyang’s state-controlled news agency KCNA reported Wednesday.

North Korea state media said Wednesday buildings are required by law to include facilities for people with disabilities. File Photo by Yonhap/EPA

North Korea state media said Wednesday buildings are required by law to include facilities for people with disabilities. File Photo by Yonhap/EPA

“Construction regulation standardizing barrier-free buildings has been adopted,” KCNA said. The report added, “A barrier-free environment is an environment in which people with disabilities can move around freely.”

The Kim Jong Un regime has previously said the rights of the disabled are guaranteed under its disability protection act. Pyongyang has said the law “respects disabled persons, and ensures they have the same social, political rights and freedoms as healthy people,” according to Yonhap.

KCNA also said Wednesday the regime’s federation for the protection of the disabled has been carrying out “training” regarding rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

North Korea has previously said the rights of citizens with disabilities are being protected. In July, Pyongyang sent athletes to China for a table tennis tournament. North Korean athletes won the championship.

North Korea has also participated in the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games, held in London and Rio de Janeiro, respectively.

Originally Published in UPI