The Ministry of Health and Welfare will officially implement the revised Enforcement Decree and Regulations of the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act from April 23. This revision is a follow-up measure after the Disabilities Welfare Act was amended last October to ensure the access rights of assistance dogs.
Previously, there were no clear regulations to prevent the rejection of entry for individuals with assistance dogs into restaurants or subways. To address this, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has defined limited legitimate reasons for entry denial. Only medical spaces requiring infection control, such as sterile rooms and operating rooms, and hygiene facilities like kitchens and storage areas in food service businesses are recognized as exceptions. Entry cannot be restricted in other locations.
According to the law, if entry is denied to assistance dogs without a legitimate reason, a fine of up to 3 million won can be imposed. The entry subjects include not only the person with disabilities but also assistance dog trainers and training-related volunteers.
Furthermore, the revised Enforcement Decree stipulates that national and local governments must include promotional activities for raising awareness about assistance dogs. The aim is to publicize the role and entry rights of assistance dogs and reduce social conflicts. This will be conducted through videos, publications, and education, and can be linked with existing public awareness campaigns for disabilities.
Son Ho-jun, the Director of the Disabled Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, “Assistance dogs are not just mere pets, but essential companions that aid in the daily life and safety of individuals with disabilities.” He added, “We hope this amendment will effectively guarantee the mobility rights of individuals with disabilities. We will strengthen our promotions through collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Ministry of Land, and local governments to ensure that there are no cases of entry denial.”
