Gay celebrity Hong Seok-cheon to speak at U.S. embassy forum

The U.S. embassy in Seoul will hold a forum on the rights of homosexuals later Monday, with Hong Seok-cheon, the first South Korean to come out, invited as the speaker.

The event was organized by Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies in Seoul, an organization representing homosexual, bisexual and transgender members in the U.S. embassy. It follows U.S. President Barack Obama's designation of the month of June as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month," the embassy said.

Hong was the first major Korean celebrity who openly admitted that he was gay. The announcement of his sexuality in 2002 sparked a resounding controversy in the country, and Hong was dropped from most of his television appearances and other media engagements.

Hong has since involved himself in speaking up for sexual minorities and made a comeback in dramas and variety shows. / Yonhap News

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com