Preliminary candidate Ahn Chul-soo (left) and independent candidate Geum Tae-seop, who ran for the Seoul Mayor’s by-election, greet before the discussion for unification held at the office building in Sangam-dong Channel A on the 18th. Reporter Oh Jong-taek
Following the 19th presidential election, candidates running for the Seoul Mayor’s by-election have been asked to evaluate their views on LGBTQ people.
Ahn Chul-soo “Queer Festival, the right to reject should also be respected”
Independent candidate Geum Tae-seop asked candidate Ahn Cheol-soo on the 18th, “Do you have any plans to go to the queer festival as mayor of Seoul?”
Candidate Ahn said, “It is natural to oppose discrimination. Individuals’ human rights deserve to be respected,” he replied, saying, “Not only our own human rights but also the human rights of others are very important.” He explained that in San Francisco, USA, a parade is held in an area away from the city center so that only those with a will to watch the queer festival can participate. He said, “If you have a queer festival in Gwanghwamun, some people will come to see them voluntarily, but aren’t there any people who bring children for various reasons?” He said, “The right to reject such things should also be respected.”
As a result, Candidate Geum said, “I think how difficult it is for our society to go to a society without discrimination.”
Park Young-sun’Silence’ on Queer Festival Questions
In addition, a similar situation took place in the Democratic Party. Candidate Young-seon Park said at a press conference on the 14th that he agreed with the anti-discrimination law, saying, “As the trend of the times changes, it is necessary to have an inclusive attitude.” However, it did not answer questions about the conflict between the Seoul city and the religious community over the hosting of the queer parade.
Candidate Sang-ho Woo, who was in the same position, also avoided an immediate response, saying, “I have not yet been elected to the mayor, so I have not reviewed it in detail.”
Hot Potato’Homosexuality’ at the 19th Presidential Debate
Debate on candidates for the 19th presidential election in 2017. Photo JTBC
In the 19th presidential election in 2017, there was a war between candidates over homosexuality. Hong Joon-pyo, then candidate of the Free Korea Party, said, “homosexuality in the military weakens the defense force,” and Democratic Party candidate Moon Jae-in replied, “I think so.” When Hong asked again, “Is it against homosexuality?” President Moon said, “I disagree.”
Accordingly, Justice Party candidate Shim Sang-jeong said, “Homosexuality is not a matter of pros and cons. He pointed out that I am sorry to President Moon for retreating the anti-discrimination law promoted by the Roh Moo-hyun administration.”
Participants are enjoying the festival at the’Seoul Queer Culture Festival’, a gender minority festival held in Seoul Plaza in June 2019. yunhap news
Progressive camps responded, saying, “We have confirmed that the human rights consciousness of established politicians has not changed.”
The Korean Women’s Political Network said on the 19th that “Park Young-seon’s silence and Ahn Cheol-soo’s perception of the queer festival would have been a hurt to the LGBT people who dream of an equal Seoul.” However, the human rights consciousness of politicians can only be evaluated as disappointing.”
The Justice Party urged, “Candidate Ahn’s remarks encourage hatred and division of LGBTQ citizens, awaken the fundamental rights of Seoul citizens as if they were choices, and apologize to the injured LGBT people.”
Reporter Lee Ga-young [email protected]