One thing I notice about South Korea — or at least in Seoul — is that it’s not handicap-friendly. Compared to ten years ago, I’d say South Korea came a long way in trying to be more friendly for disabled and handicapped citizens, but I still think they need a bit more work.

Actually, what South Korea needs is more people like Song Yul Koong, a blind composer who wants to perform a piece for President Obama. With the news of a first multi-racial U.S. president coming into office, Song found renewed inspiration to speak (or in his case, perform) out about the social issues South Korea tries to hide and ignore. In fact, he proposes this:

Song beckons a return to the public radar with a proposal to play a piano piece for U.S. President. He urged The Korea Times to help publicize his dream: he was greatly inspired by Obama’s election and hopes he can do the same with music for the physically disabled, who face discrimination like many people of colour do.

“Song wants to perform ‘Song of the Earth,’ an award-winning piano piece he wrote when he was 10.” I do hope his proposal gets accepted. I mean, the likelihood of it seems unlikely, but I’m crossing my fingers for this guy. South Korea also needs to be more aware of disabled and handicapped people, and I hope people like Song, and people who aren’t disabled, come out and support these people.