[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] On the 22nd, a coalition rally opposing the enactment of the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act will be held at Yongji Cultural Park in Changwon City, Gyeongnam.
The event is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and is hosted by the Gyeongnam Christian Federation, Gyeongnam Holy City Movement Headquarters, and the Barun Value Protection Gyeongnam Residents' Union.
The organizers stated, "The Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act destroys the order of creation, promotes homosexuality, and dismantles the family and church established by God," adding, "It is a malicious law that suppresses freedom of expression and religion and unfairly discriminates against the majority of the people."
They claimed, "Although it contains the seemingly good content that discrimination based on gender, race, disability, appearance, sexual orientation, etc., without reasonable grounds should not occur, it includes toxic provisions that clearly infringe on the freedom of the majority under the pretext of protecting minority human rights."
They explained that under the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act, the accused must prove that they did not discriminate rather than the victim submitting evidence of discrimination, which contradicts the principle of the burden of proof in civil and criminal law.
As the name suggests, since the criteria for discrimination are comprehensive, so-called 'random' complaints or lawsuits biased solely on the victim's subjective judgment may be rampant.
They raised their voices, saying, "Pointing out the problems of homosexuality according to biblical teachings and stating that God alone is the only deity can be punishable, infringing on the constitutional freedom of religion."
A representative of the organizers also pointed out the punitive damages clause of the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act as a problem.
They claimed, "It allows claims for damages up to five times the amount of actual damages, with a minimum of 5 million won, and enforcement fines to eliminate discrimination can be imposed multiple times."
They conveyed that it is appropriate to amend the existing laws prohibiting discrimination in specific areas, such as the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and Remedy for Rights, the Act on Prohibition of Age Discrimination in Employment and Promotion of Employment for Older Persons, the Framework Act on Gender Equality, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, to address their shortcomings.
They emphasized, "The Anti-Discrimination Act is not a law applied only to churches," adding, "It can punish companies for rejecting job seekers who do not fit their talent criteria, statements that homosexual acts are wrong, and criticism of pedophilic acts."
A representative of the Christian Federation claimed, "If the law is enacted, it will be impossible to prevent homosexuality education in kindergartens or schools, and it will not be possible to block the hiring of homosexual teachers or pedophilic teachers."
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