Hong Seok-cheon Reflects on Anti-LGBTQ+ Protests at Seoul Queer Culture Festival

Broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon visited the scene of the 24th Seoul Queer Culture Festival held in the Euljiro 2-ga area of Seoul, and left his feelings on SNS after witnessing opposing protests and banners. He saw anti-homosexuality banners and printed materials at the festival site, and also noted that conservative Christian groups held counter-protests nearby as the march began.

The 24th Festival on the Asphalt of Euljiro

This Seoul Queer Culture Festival was held under the slogan 'Bloom, Queer.' The event took place amidst a heatwave with a maximum temperature reaching 34 degrees, and due to space allocation issues with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the march continued on the asphalt roads of Euljiro instead of the usual grass fields at Seoul Plaza.

The police estimated the number of festival participants to be approximately 12,000, while the organizers counted about 35,000 participants. Various members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered at the scene, and Hong Seok-cheon shared the atmosphere by posting photos of his participation on his SNS.

After Seeing Counter-Protests, He Shares His Feelings on SNS

He wrote on SNS, "A day when freedom is given just once a year. I thought the outdated fear that says if you reveal yourself, you will unconditionally be killed, ended in my era, but the shouts that do not even allow this one day of freedom are still intense."

Following this, Hong Seok-cheon expressed his heavy heart, saying, "I guess Korea is not there yet." He also wrote, "In developed countries, people come out in this heatwave to cheer, clap, and dance, but I guess our country, which is a G10, is not there yet."

Happy Pride Greetings Left on SNS

Hong Seok-cheon posed a question regarding Korean society's acceptance of diversity with the sentence, "Now that embracing diversity has become the global standard, where are we standing?" Regarding the LGBTQ+ individuals gathered at the scene, he added, "With so many proud queers in the Republic of Korea, it won't be lonely."

As the first celebrity to come out in Korea, Hong Seok-cheon, who has been a voice for LGBTQ+ human rights, shared his experiences and the scenes he witnessed at this festival. His presence at the festival reads as a moment that invites renewed reflection on how Korean society accepts diversity.