United Future Party Protestant Lawmakers: "Anti-Discrimination Law is a Homosexuality Protection Law"… Justice Party Calls It "Pathetic"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Members of the Future United Party Christian Association stated on the 17th that the comprehensive anti-discrimination law is "nothing more than a law protecting homosexuality disguised as equality." They held a press conference at the National Assembly on the same day, claiming that "homosexuals and sexual minorities are not innate but merely sexual gratification acts contrary to sound sexual moral principles," and that "it is a value and ideology to be avoided as it causes social evils such as the spread of AIDS."

When asked by reporters whether they believe it is acceptable to discriminate in education or employment based on sexual orientation, Future United Party lawmaker Seo Jeong-sook responded, "Such things are not happening in reality right now," and countered, "Are there really no such cases?" Future United Party lawmaker Kwon Myung-ho said, "There could be grounds for penalties if a pastor preaches in church, for example," adding, "It could infringe on religious freedom."

When asked if all 40 or so members of the Future United Party Christian Association agree with this position, Future United Party lawmaker Lee Chae-ik replied, "I have not definitively confirmed that," but Seo said, "Almost all agree."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Justice Party immediately opposed this. Kim Jong-cheol, senior spokesperson for the Justice Party, said in a statement that day, "Members of the Future United Party Christian Association have opposed the anti-discrimination law. It is a pathetic story," and criticized, "The claims of the United Party lawmakers mean that the state does not need to protect homosexuals or sexual minorities from discrimination or disadvantages in daily life. Are sexual minorities not citizens?"

Senior spokesperson Kim pointed out, "They question whether there are no specific disadvantages against sexual minorities in our society," and added, "Then why oppose a law that would take protective measures if discrimination or disadvantages occur against sexual minorities? I cannot understand what they are arguing."

Kim also said, "As long as sexual minorities do not infringe on others' freedoms, no one can infringe on the freedoms of sexual minorities," and urged, "United Party lawmakers should stop obstructing the path to a human rights state with unnecessary false agitation."

The anti-discrimination law centers on the principle that no one should be discriminated against based on gender, disability, country of origin, race, sexual orientation, and so forth. The bill was proposed by a total of 10 lawmakers, including six from the Justice Party, Kwon In-sook and Lee Dong-joo from the Democratic Party of Korea, Kang Min-jung from the Open Democratic Party, and Yong Hye-in from the Basic Income Party.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.