"President Moon Also Makes Homophobic Remarks" to Ahn Cheol-soo... Bae Bok-ju Says "What's the Difference, Both Are the Same"

Rep. Ahn on TV Debate: "Right to Refuse Queer Festival Must Also Be Respected"
Def. Rep. Bae Bok-ju of Justice Party: "Clear Discriminatory Remarks Against Sexual Minorities"
"No Basic Understanding of Queer Festival" Criticism

Bae Bok-ju, Vice Representative of the Justice Party and Head of the Gender and Human Rights Headquarters / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Bae Bok-joo, Vice Representative of the Justice Party and Head of the Gender and Human Rights Headquarters, criticized Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, who said regarding the LGBTQ+ festival, the Queer Parade, that "the right to refuse must also be respected," calling it "a statement that clearly discriminates against LGBTQ+ citizens."

On the 25th, at the party's emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly, Vice Representative Bae said, "(Ahn, a preliminary candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election) has no basic understanding of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival," criticizing his remarks.

She continued, "The Queer Festival is a gathering that informs citizens about LGBTQ+ human rights issues through various cultural events and campaign activities," and explained, "Social minorities share their experiences of discrimination through the gathering and exercise constitutionally guaranteed rights to express political and social opinions to form an equal community as fellow citizens."

She then targeted Ahn, saying, "Ahn's remarks deny and discriminate against LGBTQ+ citizens and condone hate."

Regarding Ahn's claim that "the remarks made by President Moon Jae-in during his presidential campaign were representative of anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech," she retorted, "What difference is there? Denying LGBTQ+ people is the same for both President Moon and Ahn," pointing out the similarity.

Independent preliminary candidate Geum Tae-seop (right), who is running in the Seoul mayoral by-election, is having a debate for unification with Ahn Cheol-soo, preliminary candidate of the People's Party (left), at the Channel A building in Sangam-dong on the 18th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 18th, Ahn faced independent preliminary Seoul mayoral candidate Geum Tae-seop in a 'Ahn Cheol-soo - Geum Tae-seop Seoul Mayor Candidate Unification Debate' hosted by Channel A. On that day, the two candidates engaged in a heated debate over the Queer Parade held at Seoul Plaza.

Ahn said about the festival, "Opposing discrimination is natural. Individual human rights must be respected," but also pointed out, "However, not only one's own rights but also the rights of others are precious."

He added, "If the Queer Festival is held in Gwanghwamun, there will be people who voluntarily come to watch, but for various reasons, there are also people who bring their children," emphasizing, "The right to refuse such things must also be respected."

Political circles criticized Ahn's remarks as "statements that can be interpreted as justifying hate against LGBTQ+ people."

The next day (19th), candidate Geum said in a radio interview, "The right not to see is no different from hate and discrimination," and urged, "I hope candidate Ahn thinks more about that part."

The Justice Party's LGBTQ+ Committee also issued a statement that day, saying, "The Seoul mayoral candidate, who should actively defend and guarantee the equal rights of Seoul citizens, incited hate and division against LGBTQ+ citizens," calling on Ahn to apologize for his remarks.

Ahn Cheol-soo, Leader of the People Party / Photo by Yonhap News

Amid growing controversy, on the 24th, Ahn denied in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' saying, "I have never made hateful remarks, nor did I intend to," and countered, "Rather, the representative hateful remarks were those made by President Moon Jae-in when he was a candidate."

Previously, on April 25, 2017, during the 4th TV debate among presidential candidates, President Moon said, "I oppose (homosexuality)," and "I do not like it, and do not support the legalization of (same-sex marriage)."

Regarding this, Ahn pointed out, "I think it is right to demand that President Moon first clarify whether he still holds such views."

He added, "I am more opposed to discrimination against minorities than anyone else," but explained, "Many citizens are concerned about scenes with high levels of nudity or sexual expression at the Queer Festival, the sale of adult products, and the unprotected exposure of children and adolescents."