An 'Queer Festival Controversy' Spreads... Will It Affect Approval Ratings?

"Right to Refuse Queer Festival" Remarks Draw Consecutive Criticism from Political Circles and Civil Society

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Controversy is erupting in political circles and civil society over Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party’s preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor, stating that "people have the right to refuse the queer festival where sexual minorities gather."

On the 23rd, political analysts suggested that this controversy could hinder Ahn’s ability to gain votes from the progressive camp, despite his claim to be a centrist candidate. On the 18th, during the first TV debate with preliminary candidate Geum Tae-seop, when Geum asked if Ahn planned to attend the queer festival, Ahn responded, "There are people who do not want (the queer festival)," adding, "I believe those aspects should also be respected."

Following this remark, voices criticizing Ahn’s sensitivity to human rights continued in political circles. On the 19th, the Justice Party’s Sexual Minority Committee issued a statement pointing out, "Ahn Cheol-soo’s human rights sensitivity, which does not regard sexual minorities as equal citizens, is deplorable." On the same day, the Korean Women’s Political Network also released a statement criticizing, "Are you saying that the new politics you spoke of was hatred and discrimination?"

The Future Party also stated on the 21st, "Withdraw your opposition to the queer festival even now," and "We hope you will listen to the voices of sexual minorities living ordinary lives in Seoul."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, expressed support for Ahn on the 22nd after the Emergency Committee meeting, telling reporters, "We need to consider whether such things should be done in public places, like in front of Seoul City Hall Plaza."

Issues related to sexual minorities are key points for checking candidates’ human rights sensitivity during election seasons. In the 2018 Seoul mayoral election, Kim Moon-soo, then a Liberty Korea Party candidate, was heavily criticized for calling the queer festival a "vulgar and obscene festival."

In this Seoul mayoral election phase, the queer festival issue has inevitably resurfaced, drawing attention to its potential impact on the support rate of the leading candidate, Ahn. For Ahn, who prides himself on centrist expansion, there is a growing possibility of losing progressive support while gaining conservative backing.

Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People’s Party, told Asia Economy on the 23rd, "It is regrettable that the remark, which was intended to emphasize that everyone’s human rights should be respected, has been distorted," adding, "We will proceed honestly and steadfastly without being swayed by poll numbers." Regarding the queer festival controversy, the spokesperson said, "We are not considering any countermeasures aimed at votes."