Protesters hold a surprise demonstration in front of presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 26 over his remarks against sexual minorities during a TV debate. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Apr. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — A group of 13 South Korean gay rights activists were detained on Wednesday after staging a surprise protest at the National Assembly against presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in over his latest remarks against homosexuality.
The activists, both men and women, are accused of approaching Moon during a meeting with supporters from the fields of national security and defense and shouting slogans critical of the Democratic Party candidate’s stance against sexual minorities.
They chanted “Spell out your view on sexual minorities!” before being overpowered by National Assembly guards and transferred to police.
Under the law, rallies are prohibited within the compound of the National Assembly.
Moon came under fire after he said he “opposes” homosexuality and that he does not “like” it, during a TV debate on Tuesday night.
The remarks were made after Hong Joon-pyo of the conservative Liberty Korea Party asked Moon’s stance, claiming that homosexuality in the military undermines the country’s defense capabilities.
Sim Sang-jeung, the presidential nominee of the minor progressive Justice Party, immediately expressed regret over Moon’s remarks, saying “one’s sexual identity is not something to be agreed upon or opposed by a third party.”
Moon’s camp later said the nominee was talking about his opposition to the legalization of same sex marriage.
The camp is also known to have delivered the opinion to the police that they do not want the illegal rally suspects punished.
(Yonhap)
