Fridae

South Korea’s most prominent openly gay celebrity says he wants to join active politics in order to promote diversity within Korean society and to help young people struggling to cope with their sexuality with welfare schemes.

"I will build a counselling center for young gay people and help parents who have gay children," Hong Seok-cheon told The Korea Times.

Hong, 45, wants to become a leader of Yongsan District Office where he thinks he can bring about the most change. "If I am elected, I will be the first gay person to become a government official," he said.

It means the country has accepted my identity as a homosexual," he told the newspaper.

Hong who has been living in Yongsan for the past ten years said the district is in great need of an open-minded leader as it is very conservative. "My artistic strength and business mind are my assets to be a successful candidate for Yongsan District chief," he said.

“Whether he wants it or not, an all-around entertainer Hong has become a role model of gays. His coming-out in 2000 has given courage to many young people in Korea, a country where homosexuality remains a taboo,” reported The Korea Times.

Hong was a male model and actor before causing considerable controversy when he came out as gay. He was fired him from his prime-time TV variety show as soon as he revealed his sexual orientation but later went on to be selected by Time magazine as the 2004 Asian Hero for his appearance in a string of thriller films. In 2008 he hosted his own television talk show "Coming Out" that featured the life of gay people.

He even became a restaurateur and member of the Democratic Labor Party. He now owns many restaurants in Itaewon, one of the trendy towns in Seoul.

Male and female same-sex relations is legal in South Korea as it is not specifically mentioned in either the country’s Constitution or in the Civil Penal Code. Yet general awareness of the gay community has largely remains low despite recent gay-themed entertainment and recognizable gay celebrities. Korean gays and lesbians still face difficulties, and many prefer not to reveal their gay identity to their family, friends or co-workers.

"I think Korean society has changed a little," said Hong. "Before, it was impossible to think about revealing one's sexual identity to others. Now, they won't slap your face for being gay. Friends and families are starting to understand one's hardship of life as a gay,” he told The Korea Times.

However, Hong thinks it is still too early for legalization of gay marriage in Korea and believes that this might change in due time just as it took 10 years for society to accept him.