Human Rights Commission: "Local Council Members Should Not Use Hate Speech Against Sexual Minorities"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea announced on the 6th that it expressed an opinion to the Speaker of the Jeju Provincial Council, urging caution to ensure that council members refrain from using hate speech against sexual minorities in the future and to establish measures to prevent recurrence.

Civil society organizations in Jeju filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in January, stating that Councilor A of the Jeju Provincial Council incited hatred and prejudice against sexual minorities by saying in a plenary session, "I dislike homosexuality and homosexuals," and "I cannot accept continuously teaching and making our children understand that homosexuality is okay, normal, and not problematic."

In response to the controversy, Councilor A clarified in a statement that "the remarks were not intended to hate or discriminate against homosexuality." He also told the Human Rights Commission, "As a parent, I only wish for children to grow up healthy and bright, and I have no intention of hating or discriminating against homosexuals," adding, "I will be cautious with every word and action as a responsible local politician going forward."

The Human Rights Commission judged that no specific harm occurred to any individual due to Councilor A's remarks and therefore the complaint did not fall under the Commission's investigation scope, dismissing the complaint itself.

However, the Commission decided to express its opinion, citing concerns that "the remarks cause members of the sexual minority community to feel intimidated, fearful, and frustrated, spreading negative perceptions and causing significant social harm," and "considering that the respondent is a local council member representing the residents, it may give the impression that hatred and prejudice against sexual minorities are tolerated in the local community and may incite collective actions related to sexual minority hatred."

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