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| A rainbow flag hangs above the entrance to the U.S. Embassy in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap |
By Kim Bo-eun
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has raised a rainbow flag on its building in Gwanghwamun, Thursday, in support of the Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF) which kicks off today.
It is the first time the embassy in Seoul has flown the LGBTQIA flag.
Yonhap News Agency reported an embassy official as saying, "We support and expect to take part in this year's queer festival as for the ones held previously. The U.S. State Department will band together with rights activists and civic groups to protect the freedom of sexual minorities so they can be respected."
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has been taking part in KQCF since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in June 2015.
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Former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert had taken part in the event, and Marc Knapper, current charge d'affaires, will also reportedly be present this year.
The 18th KQCF will kick off at Seoul Plaza today for a run until July 23. It will consist of a large-scale queer parade and film festival.
On Saturday around 100 booths will be set up by human rights groups, multinational corporations, embassies, university clubs and political parties to campaign for gay rights.
The festival will face Christian anti-gay groups which will stage a counter event nearby the same day.
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