Rights Commission's anti-discrimination law research contract sparks backlash over lawyer's anti-LGBTQ+ remarks

South Korea's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is under fire for commissioning research on anti-discrimination law to a lawyer with a history of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. A coalition of human rights activists, the "NHRC Correction Joint Action," held a press conference on May 9, demanding the immediate cancellation of the contract.

The research project, titled "Survey on the Implementation Cases and Impact of Overseas Anti-Discrimination Laws," was awarded to a law firm last month after an open tender. However, the lead researcher, identified only as lawyer 'N', has previously expressed views that conflate homosexuality and gender transition with unhappiness and increased suicide rates. In a 2024 interview, lawyer 'N' argued that "the lives of children who accept homosexuality and gender transition become unhappy" and claimed that "the high rates of suicide and suicidal ideation in countries where comprehensive anti-discrimination laws were first implemented have not significantly decreased over 50 years." The lawyer also participated in a press conference supporting the nomination of Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho and spoke at an event organized by a conservative group opposing the anti-discrimination law.

This decision has drawn criticism for deviating from the NHRC's established principles of prohibiting discrimination and respecting sexual minorities. While the commission's composition has seen some changes, with conservative members Kim Yong-won and Lee Choong-sang departing, critics argue that its stance on LGBTQ+ issues remains inconsistent. The controversy is further fueled by Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho's intention to attend both the Seoul Queer Culture Festival and a counter-protest event, the "Holy Barrier," on the same day.

NHRC Commissioner Cho Sook-hyun strongly criticized Ahn's planned appearances, stating, "Sexual orientation is not a matter of support or opposition, but should be respected as it is. Anyone who cannot call this discrimination is not qualified to be the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission." Ahn's past writings, which reportedly contained discriminatory remarks against sexual minorities, had already raised concerns during his appointment. Despite plans to set up an NHRC booth at the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, the organizers have reportedly refused due to Ahn's planned attendance at the counter-protest, potentially leaving only a booth run by NHRC 'ally' staff.