Seoul’s annual queer culture festival, one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ celebrations, took place on June 1 along Euljiro Street. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jun. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – Seoul’s annual queer culture festival, one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ celebrations, took place on June 1 along Euljiro Street after being denied the use of Seoul Plaza by city authorities for the second consecutive year.
Counterprotests erupted across the capital, contributing to traffic disruptions throughout the day.
The Seoul Queer Culture Festival Organizing Committee hosted the 25th Seoul Queer Parade from 11 a.m., drawing an estimated crowd of 150,000 participants (according to the organizers) in the areas surrounding Euljiro 1-ga Station and Jonggak Station.
When visited around 12:30 p.m., the festival grounds were a kaleidoscope of individuality, with 61 booths representing university clubs, human rights organizations, embassies, and corporate sponsors.
Attendees donned rainbow flags, fans, and vibrant orange balloons emblazoned with “Live Love Liberate,” sporting expressive makeup and attire.
Not only Koreans but also numerous foreign tourists flocked to the event, where drag queens in orange dresses – the theme color – caught the eye.
Notably, a Christian booth offered blessing ceremonies for queer couples. Churchgoers and participants draped in rainbow cloths closed their eyes as blessing phrases were recited, followed by a communion-like sharing of miniature rice cakes and grape juice.
Eom, 23, and Park, 27, a couple attending for the first time, remarked, “It’s impressive to witness this atmosphere of freedom and happiness, with same-sex couples holding hands openly.” They added, “The blessing ceremony felt even more tender.”
Another visitor, Park, 25, from Busan, shared, “The phrase ‘God doesn’t make mistakes’ from the vows we read brought solace.” She expressed her aspiration, “We hope to have an official wedding ceremony and become a ‘reference’ for others, showing that diverse lifestyles exist.”
Some lamented the festival’s relocation from Seoul Plaza for the second year. Although the Seoul Queer Culture Festival has been held at Seoul Plaza annually since 2015, it was moved to Euljiro in 2022 and 2023 after the city denied permits, citing scheduling conflicts with other events organized by Christian groups and the Seoul Library.
The festival drew attendees across age groups. Shin, 62, a first-time participant, remarked, “Those over 60 grew up during the dictatorship era and haven’t witnessed as much diversity as the younger generation, so they tend to shy away from events like this. But I hope they can open their minds.”
She added, “As society progresses and expands freedoms, these individuals should undoubtedly be free to live happily wherever they are.”
Counterprotests erupted throughout the city center. Around noon, a Christian group staged a rally near Exits 1-4 of Euljiro 1-ga Station, deploying six trucks bearing banners opposing same-sex marriage and the Anti-Discrimination Act.
Participants in traditional Korean hanbok or military uniforms performed fan dances and beat drums mounted on trucks, chanting slogans like “Are you truly happy, LGBTQ friends?” and “Homosexuality can be overcome.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
