National Human Rights Commission urges accessibility improvements at self-service gas stations

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea has called on the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to establish guidelines ensuring accessibility at self-service gas stations for people with disabilities.

As self-service stations now account for nearly 60% of all gas stations in South Korea, the commission noted that automation creates barriers for wheelchair users. While a specific petition was dismissed because it did not specify a concrete act of discrimination, the commission issued an opinion stating that the government must address the accessibility gap caused by unmanned services.

Proposed improvements include installing support equipment such as call buttons or intercoms and establishing operational guidelines for staff to assist disabled customers. Additionally, the commission recommended physical accessibility standards, such as floor surfaces without steps, sufficient turning space, and payment terminals and screens positioned at heights reachable by wheelchair users.