PHOTOS: Korean activists rally for LGBTQ rights on key commemoration day

SEOUL, May 17 (AJU PRESS) - Korean civic groups called for the protection of the rights of sexual minorities on Friday during an event marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

A coalition of 78 activist groups, including Rainbow Action against Sexual Minority Discrimination, the Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, and HIV/AIDS Human Rights Action, held a news conference outside the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, before staging a protest in Jongno, central Seoul, in the evening.

During the press conference, activists demanded the legislation and implementation of a same-sex marriage law, legal gender recognition, an anti-discrimination law, and the protection of the rights of LGBTQ youth.

IDAHOBIT, established in 1990, is observed annually on May 17 and aims to raise awareness about the discrimination, violence, and human rights violations faced by LGBTQ people worldwide.

Jio a representative from the Coalition for Anti-Discrimination Legislation and Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea speaks about the Anti-Discrimination Law during the 2024 Joint Group for IDAHOBIT press conference held in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido Seoul on May 17 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Jio, a representative of the Coalition for Anti-Discrimination Legislation and Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, speaks during a news conference in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 17, 2024, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Participants hold tight to the press conference banner during the press conference AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Activists hold a banner during a news conference in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 17, 2024, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). / AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

An attendee at the IDAHOBIT press conference wears a t-shirt with the word Struggle printed on it AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — An activist wears a T-shirt with the Korean word for “struggle” printed on it during a news conference in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 17, 2024, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Soju a representative from Rainbow Action against Sexual Minority Discrimination and HIVAIDS Human Rights Action AL moderates the press conference prior to the event AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Soju, a representative of Rainbow Action Against Sexual Minority Discrimination and HIV/AIDS Human Rights Action, speaks during a news conference in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 17, 2024, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Members of the 2024 Joint Group for IDAHOBIT chant slogans during the press conference AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Activists chant slogans during a news conference in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 17, 2024, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Park Jong-hyeok qkrwhdgur2164@ajupress.com