Kang Won-rae of Clone Shares Discrimination Experience at Self-Service Gas Station

Kang Won-rae, a member of the group Clone, recently shared his experience of facing discrimination at a self-service gas station.

On October 13, Kang took to his Instagram to express his gratitude towards a self-service gas station in Yongin, saying, "A few months ago, I was refused service at a self-service gas station in Siheung, but the one in Yongin welcomed me. I am thankful for their kindness."

Kang recounted the incident at the Siheung station, stating, "The employee told me that at self-service stations, the driver must pump the gas themselves. They said it was against the rules for the staff to assist, even for disabled individuals, citing it as the law."

He continued, "I'm not sure if it's illegal, but at the Yongin station, when I explained that I am a wheelchair user and requested assistance, the staff kindly helped me with the refueling and even offered me a cold bottle of water."

Kang questioned the policy, addressing the self-service station management, "Should all gas stations in Korea be equipped with self-service machines accessible to wheelchair users, or should there be consideration for the few wheelchair users?" He specifically called out Company S.

He added, "If assisting wheelchair users with refueling is illegal, I am willing to pay an extra fee for the staff's help."

Kang Won-rae, formerly of the group Clone, became paralyzed from the waist down after a motorcycle accident in 2000, when he collided with a car making an illegal U-turn. Despite his disability, his then-girlfriend, Kim Song, a former member of the mixed group Cola, stayed by his side, and they married in 2003. The couple welcomed a son in 2014 through in vitro fertilization.

By Da-yeon Jeong, TenAsia Reporter light@tenasia.co.kr