Seoul education candidate's 'homophobic' banner sparks protests and counter-actions

A campaign banner by Jo Jon-hyuk, a candidate for Seoul Superintendent of Education, has ignited controversy and sparked widespread protests for its message: 'Expel Queer and Homosexual Education.' The banner has drawn sharp criticism from LGBTQ+ rights groups and concerned citizens, who argue it promotes discrimination and hatred.

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We need education that is free from discrimination and hatred.

In response to the banner, which has been displayed in various locations across Seoul, several activist groups have organized protests. The Korean Women's Association for Minwoo held picket actions near Hongik Girls' High School and Mangwon Station, holding signs that read, "Education needs no discrimination or hatred." They condemned the display of homophobic expressions in school and community spaces during an election period, emphasizing that LGBTQ+ youth are present everywhere.

The queer and transgender network 'Ieum' also conducted picketing and rainbow ribbon-tying activities near Hapjeong Station, Seogyo-dong, and Yeongdeungpo District Office Station. They demanded the "immediate removal of the hate speech banner that threatens the mental health and psychological well-being of sexual minorities." Counter-banners have also appeared, with the book club 'Uri Sai' (Between Us) placing a banner directly below Jo's that reads, "What education needs is the expulsion of discrimination and hatred."

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Remove the hate speech banner that threatens the mental health and psychological well-being of sexual minorities immediately.

Citizens are also being encouraged to report the banners through the 'Civil Complaint Action' initiative using the Safe Newspaper app. Organizations like Rainbow Action of the Korean Sexual Minority Rights Center and the youth LGBTQ+ support center Ddingdong are guiding citizens on how to identify and report these banners. Jeong Min-seok, director of Ddingdong, noted that even individuals not identifying as LGBTQ+ have inquired about how to respond to such messages, indicating a growing public concern.

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What education needs is the expulsion of discrimination and hatred.

Park Han-hee, co-representative of Rainbow Action, acknowledged concerns that counter-protests might create "noise marketing" but stressed the need to respond to the deeply hurtful messages targeting youth and sexual minorities. The civil society groups are calling for institutional mechanisms to regulate hate speech in election spaces, arguing that current regulations are insufficient to prevent such discriminatory messages from being displayed.

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Even individuals not identifying as LGBTQ+ have inquired about how to respond to such messages, indicating a growing public concern.