By Chyung Eun-ju, Park Si-soo
South Korea's biggest annual queer festival begins in Seoul Friday evening for a 10-day run.
Nearly 100 human rights groups, embassies, companies and pro-LGBT university clubs will set up booths at the 18th Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF)'s main venue of Seoul Plaza, hosting a variety of events promoting the rights of sexual minorities. The National Human Rights Commission will join the festival for the first time.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has clarified its support for the event by raising a rainbow flag on its building Thursday.
Many events are planned to jazz up the mood, including the "Queer Parade" on Saturday and the "Queer Movie Festival" at Lotte Cinema in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, on July 20-23.
But not everyone welcomes the festival.
Christian anti-LGBT groups are set to stage a protest against the festival near Seoul Plaza.
Police will keep the two sides apart to prevent conflict.
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