This file photo from Yonhap News TV shows an unmanned kiosk. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — From now on, setting up kiosks requires installing braille blocks and offering voice guides.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that is has released an advance notice of the legislative plan to amend legislation related to discrimination against disabled people.
The enforcement decree stipulates that appropriate facilities should be installed and operated to provide proper means of convenience to those with various forms of disabilities.
Kiosks should be accessible by wheelchairs with enough space for footpads. Braille blocks or voice guides should be in place for the visually impaired.
In case of a kiosk failure or inquiry, a broadcasting solution should also be in place to communicate with the operator through sign language, text, and voice messages.
The current notice by the Ministry of Science and ICT includes instructions on special kiosk design in assisting limited hand and arm movements or poor eyesight, but has not been properly implemented since it isn’t mandatory.
Considering that most kiosks are operated under two or three-year rental contracts, the new legislation will take effect in January 2026 for kiosks installed before the law came into force.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
