Deaf K-pop group champions barrier-free travel in Korea

For most travelers, navigating a new city involves checking maps or booking tickets.

But for those with physical or sensory disabilities, the barriers are often structural, written into the very design of streets, restaurants and cultural landmarks.

To challenge these limits, the Korea Tourism Organization launched a two-day barrier-free travel initiative across the cities of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and Gangneung, Gangwon Province, this week.

Partnering with Big Ocean, a rising K-pop trio and the world’s first deaf idol group, the national tourism agency sought to spotlight "Open Tourism" — a growing movement aimed at eliminating physical and communication hurdles for vulnerable travelers.

The first leg of the journey began Wednesday in Suwon, an ancient walled city south of Seoul.

A group of 20 deaf and hearing-impaired participants embarked on a sign-language walking tour along the towering stone ramparts of the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress.

Assisted by specialized sign-language docents, the travelers tried their hand at traditional Korean archery and ceramic painting.

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