Human Rights Chief Withdraws from Seoul Queer Festival, Citing Booth Dispute

National Human Rights Commission Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho has reversed his earlier commitment to attend both the Seoul Queer Culture Festival and a counter-protest event, announcing he will now skip both. The decision comes just a day before the festival is scheduled to take place.

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Attendance was predicated on the installation of a booth.

The primary reason cited for Ahn's change of heart is the inability to establish an official booth for the Human Rights Commission at the Queer Culture Festival. A commission official stated that Ahn's previous intention to visit was contingent upon having a booth. The festival's organizing committee had formally requested the commission's participation in March, but the commission did not express its intent to participate within the official application period.

Following Ahn's initial public statement about attending, the festival organizers issued demands. They called for an official apology from Ahn for his past remarks perceived as discriminatory against sexual minorities and insisted he refrain from participating in 'hate rallies.' The organizers stated that the commission's booth participation would only be considered if these conditions were met.

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We believe the fundamental rights of both the Seoul Queer Culture Festival and the Holy Shield United National Assembly should not be infringed upon.

In response, Ahn had indicated on Tuesday that he believed the fundamental rights of participants in both events should be protected and offered to seek clarification from the organizers once more. However, an organizer representative stated that the Human Rights Commission had not officially contacted them since Tuesday.

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The Human Rights Commission has not officially inquired with us since the 11th.