Fridae

The US Embassy in Seoul leant its support to the thousands of LGBT and supporters expected to march in the South Korean capital’s pride parade on Saturday by displaying a rainbow flag.

“The US Department of State affirms its solidarity with the human rights defenders and civil society organizations working around the world to uphold the fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons to live with dignity and freedom,” said an official from the embassy on Thursday according to the Korea Herald.

“We will continue to support the human rights of LGBTI persons together with like-minded governments, businesses, and civil society organizations globally. The United States remains committed to human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons,” the official added.

This year’s Korea Queer Culture Festival follows a rejection by the country’s courts to recognize prominent film director’s same sex marriage.

The march to Seoul’s city hall on Saturday is likely to face large counter-protests by Seoul’s conservative Christians who have become more vocal in their homophobia as the country’s LGBT movement has slowly progressed.

“The Korea Queer Culture Festival aims to promote minority groups whose human rights have been long neglected by the majority,” Kang Myeong-jin, chief organizer of the non-profit festival, told the Korea Herald.

“We should encourage people to break free of oppression and march out to achieve our rights,” Kang added.