Kang Won-rae, a member of the group Clon, expressed disappointment at the response of a self-service gas station that refused to assist him despite his request as a person with a disability.
On the 13th, Kang Won-rae posted a lengthy message on his social media, stating, “A few months ago, I was refused at a self-service gas station in Siheung, but I was welcomed at a gas station in Yongin. I sincerely thank them for their kindness.”
He recounted, “At the Siheung gas station, when I was refused, the staff said, ‘At a self-service gas station, the person driving the car must fill the gas themselves; the gas station staff cannot do it. There are no exceptions for people with disabilities. That’s the law.’”
He then shared a contrasting experience, saying, “However, at the Yongin gas station, when I asked for help as a wheelchair user, they assisted me and even gave me a cold bottle of water.”
Kang Won-rae questioned, “Should all gas stations in South Korea be equipped with self-service pumps that wheelchair users can operate themselves? Or would it be better to make accommodations for the few wheelchair users who drive?” He expressed, “If there is a request from a wheelchair user, I would appreciate it if the staff could assist, even if it incurs additional charges.”
Meanwhile, Kang Won-rae debuted in 1996 with the group Clon and gained much love with hit songs like ‘Kungdari Shabara’ and ‘Choyeon’. However, he halted his activities after being diagnosed with lower body paralysis due to a motorcycle accident in 2000.
In 2003, he married Kim Song, a member of the group Cola, with whom he had been in a long-term relationship, and they welcomed a son in 2014, 11 years after their marriage.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
