(ZENIT News / Seul, 11.07.2024).- On October 27, more than a million South Koreans—predominantly from the Christian and Catholic communities—took to the streets of Seoul in a large-scale protest against proposed anti-discrimination laws that would legally recognize same-sex marriages. Organized by a coalition of Christian churches and bolstered by the slogan “Healthy Family, Holy Nation,” the event marked one of the country’s largest public demonstrations, drawing attention to a cultural clash between traditional religious beliefs and evolving LGBTQ+ rights.
The gathering, orchestrated by the Council of Presbyterian Churches and United Christian Churches of Korea, was characterized not only as a protest but as an extended worship service. Demonstrators joined in prayer for three hours in what the “Korea Herald” dubbed “one of the largest religious gatherings in the nation’s history.” The event, while mobilizing over 1.1 million attendees in person, also saw an additional million viewers participating online, underscoring the scale and significance of the gathering.
At the heart of the demonstration lies a sense of discontent with a legal shift that began in July, when the South Korean Supreme Court granted same-sex couples access to certain benefits through the National Health Insurance Service. Many religious groups view this move as an erosion of traditional values and a prelude to broader legislation that would further entrench LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation.
The proposed anti-discrimination legislation, which activists have pursued since 2011, has faced repeated opposition from conservative and religious groups. Though the bill would protect individuals from discrimination based on gender, age, race, religion, academic background, and sexual orientation, opponents argue it infringes on religious freedoms and could compel religious institutions to contradict their beliefs. Kim Jeong-hee, spokesperson for the organizing committee, condemned the legislation as fundamentally opposed to “the natural law and the order in which the world was created.” According to Kim, the recent court ruling extending benefits to same-sex couples challenges the constitution, which, in her view, does not recognize same-sex marriage.
Many attendees expressed deep concerns about what they consider an attack on freedom of conscience, warning that the anti-discrimination law could mandate a societal acceptance of practices they believe contravene traditional values. The gathering’s religious leaders framed the event not merely as a protest but as a plea to uphold what they consider the divine order for families and communities.
As South Korea continues to modernize, this mass protest reveals a clear fault line between the rapid social change driven by secular legal systems and a strong, faith-based population committed to preserving traditional values. With the national debate intensifying, the outcome of this legal and cultural impasse remains uncertain. However, the demonstration has undeniably underscored the commitment of millions in South Korea to defend their vision of family and faith.
Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.
