On June 15, 2025, the heart of Seoul turned into a tense battleground of conflicting ideologies. The reason? The Seoul Queer Culture Festival (SQCF) and simultaneous counter-protests by religious and conservative groups were held in nearby areas on the same day. With both sides facing off, downtown traffic was heavily congested, and the city experienced a day of intense social debate.
📍 Seoul Plaza: Queer Festival Participants Say “We Are Citizens Too”
The 2025 Seoul Queer Culture Festival took place at Seoul Plaza. After several years of scaled-down or online events due to COVID-19, this year’s full-scale offline event drew thousands of participants. The festival featured performances, advocacy booths, and a pride parade. Participants included LGBTQ+ individuals, their allies, NGOs, and even international supporters.
Chants such as “We are not a disease” and “Love is stronger than hate” echoed across the plaza. Attendees called for legal protections and the enactment of an anti-discrimination law, demanding equal citizenship and social recognition.
🚨 Counter-Protesters Rally: “We Oppose Homosexuality”
At the same time, in areas near Seoul City Hall, Euljiro, and Cheonggyecheon, conservative Christian and civic groups held counter-rallies. Thousands joined in, holding signs that read “Homosexuality is a sin” and “The queer festival is harmful to youth.”
The organizers argued that the Queer Festival could negatively influence young people and labeled the event an “obscene parade.” They also voiced strong objections to the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s decision to approve the use of a public space like Seoul Plaza for such an event.
🚓 Over 1,000 Police Officers Deployed – No Major Clashes Reported
Despite the tensions, no physical clashes were reported. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency deployed over 1,000 officers to manage the situation and prevent confrontation.
Police buses were used to create buffer zones between opposing groups, and while traffic congestion was significant, overall crowd control was successful. A police spokesperson stated, “We are fully prepared to maintain order throughout the event.”
💬 Public Opinion Remains Divided – What’s the Way Forward?
The debate surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and conservative religious opposition has been a recurring issue in South Korea since the early 2000s. Municipalities often face legal challenges when deciding whether to allow such events in public venues.
While human rights organizations see pride festivals as a declaration of identity and equality, religious groups argue that such expressions go against traditional social norms.
Despite these differences, calls for civil dialogue and mutual understanding are gradually growing, offering a glimmer of hope for more respectful engagement in the future.
🧾 In Conclusion
The rallies in downtown Seoul highlighted the ongoing struggle between diversity and conservatism in Korean society. Balancing freedom of expression with mutual respect remains a significant challenge. Still, recognizing each person’s dignity and coexistence is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
Thank you for reading.
✅ Sources
- Channel A NewsA: “We Are Citizens Too” vs. “Opposing Homosexuality” – Clashing Rallies in Seoul (Aired on June 15, 2025)
- Seoul Queer Culture Festival official website: https://sqp.kr
- Seoul Metropolitan Police official press release
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#SeoulPride #LGBTQKR #AntiDiscriminationLaw #SeoulRally #FreedomOfSpeech #PublicDebate #QueerCultureFestival #ReligiousProtest #EqualityMovement #KoreanSociety #ChannelANews #Coexistence #SocialConflict #HumanRightsInKorea #DemocracyAndDiversity #SeoulEvents #CivilRights #PublicSquarePolitics