"Will You Attend the Queer Festival?" Geum Tae-seop's Question... Ahn Cheol-soo: "The Right to Refuse Must Also Be Respected"

Candidate An: "There are festivals held a bit away from downtown"
Candidate Geum: "A society without discrimination is difficult... deeply disappointed" criticism

The scene from the Seoul Queer Parade held in 2017. / Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 18th, Ahn Cheol-soo, the preliminary candidate of the People’s Party, and independent candidate Geum Tae-seop, both running in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, faced off in a TV debate. The two candidates engaged in a heated exchange over the so-called 'Queer Parade,' a Seoul LGBTQ+ festival.

During the 'Ahn Cheol-soo - Geum Tae-seop Seoul Mayor Candidate Unification Debate' hosted by Channel A, Candidate Geum revealed that when he was a member of the National Assembly, he had participated in the Queer Parade held in front of Seoul City Hall.

He added, "It’s really embarrassing when you go there. Ambassadors from major countries like the United States and the United Kingdom come out and walk around in a festive atmosphere," and pointed out, "Not a single Korean politician showed up."

Candidate Geum then addressed Candidate Ahn, saying, "It is a small but important change for a unified candidate from the third zone to attend the Queer Parade as the mayor of Seoul," and asked, "Do you intend to participate in the Queer Festival?"

In response, Candidate Ahn said, "Opposing discrimination is a given. Individual human rights must be respected," but added, "However, not only one’s own rights but also the rights of others are precious."

Ahn Cheol-soo, the preliminary candidate of the People’s Party running for the Seoul mayoral by-election (left), and independent preliminary candidate Geum Tae-seop shake hands before a debate for unification held at the Channel A building in Sangam-dong on the 18th. / Photo by Yonhap News

He then cited the San Francisco Queer Parade in California, USA, as an example. Candidate Ahn explained about the festival, "It is held in the southern part of the city, a bit away from the downtown area," and said, "It is a place where people who have the will to watch (the parade) go."

He continued, "If the Queer Festival were held in Gwanghwamun, there would be people who voluntarily come to watch, but there are also people who come with children for various reasons," and emphasized, "The right to refuse such things must also be respected."

In contrast, Candidate Geum criticized Candidate Ahn’s response, saying, "Hearing what you say makes me think how difficult it is for our society to become a discrimination-free society," and added, "I cannot help but say that I am very disappointed."

He further pointed out, "It is not the People Power Party or the Democratic Party, but from the third zone, Ahn and I can change politics for those who are powerless, voiceless, and those who have no party to represent them, by raising their voices."

Participants of the queer parade filling Seoul Plaza. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Queer Parade is a human rights cultural event held to raise awareness of the existence of sexual minorities and to promote their rights. It is known to have started with the so-called 'pride parade' held in New York, USA, in 1970.

In Korea, it began in 2000 in Daehangno, Seoul, when about 50 sexual minorities publicly 'came out' as a group asserting their sexual identities, and since 2015, it has been held in the form of a festival, marking its 19th event in 2019.

However, some have expressed negative views toward the Queer Parade. At the most recent event, the 19th Queer Parade, thousands gathered for anti-homosexuality rallies, including some Christian groups.

Conflicts between the Queer Parade and anti-homosexuality rallies have also continued online. In 2018, a petition titled 'Cancel the Queer Parade' was posted on the Blue House’s public petition board, receiving over 210,000 signatures.

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