Embassies join celebration of diversity at Seoul's pride parade

From right, New Zealand Ambassador Dawn Bennet, British Ambassador Colin Crooks, Dutch Ambassador Joanne Doornewaard, EU Ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez and Czech Ambassador Gustav Slamecka hold a rainbow flag in support of Korea's LGBTQ community on Euljiro, central Seoul, Saturday. Captured from Twitter

By Kwon Mee-yoo

In a remarkable display of international solidarity, foreign embassies in Seoul took part in the city's annual pride parade, Saturday, highlighting the universal importance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) rights and visibility.

A total of 14 countries extended their support, marching together with local participants at the Seoul Queer Culture Festival (SQCF) not only underscore their countries' commitment to equality and diversity, but also amplify the global resonance of Seoul's Pride celebration, despite continued opposition from conservative groups.

Instead of opening individual stands, the embassies collaborated with countries sharing similar values to set up joint booths. These embassy booths, four in total, drew considerable attention from parade participants and visitors who queued to collect unique Pride items from different countries, which included Union Jack-shaped rainbow pop grips, fabric pouches bearing the slogan "LGBTI Rights = Human Rights" from the U.S., temporary tattoos with messages of equality from Nordic nations and Koala plush toys from Australia.

"Knowing that countries such as Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States are among many supporting us brings joy and reassurance of strong backing," said a visitor to the four countries' joint booth at the SQCF.

A variety of items showcasing support for the LGBTQ community is displayed at a joint booth of Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States at the Seoul Queer Culture Festival (SQCF) held on the streets of Euljiro, central Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Embassy of Germany in Korea

Many diplomats, including several ambassadors, participated in the festival. Their presence, lending both personal and institutional weight, illuminated the international support for the event.

"I always enjoy coming to the Seoul Queer Culture Festival. It's one of the highlights of the year and just seeing so many people here celebrating love, celebrating inclusiveness, celebrating diversity is really inspiring. We in the British Embassy are proud to be playing our own small part in this great event," British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks told The Korea Times.

This is Crooks' second year participating in Seoul's largest pride event. However, this year, the location shifted from its traditional spot, Seoul Plaza, to the streets of Euljiro, necessitated by the city government's refusal to grant permission to use the plaza for the event.

"The atmosphere seems quite similar to last year. People seem to be enjoying themselves," he said.

Crooks also mentioned that London's Pride celebration also takes place on the same day and holds a significant importance on the city's event calendar.

"In the U.K., we had our Equality Act passed in 2010 and we've had equality of marriage for a length of time and we found that it works very well. We're proud of the way in which we're able to guarantee equality and human rights for everyone. Of course, we still have a way to go. No country is perfect and we would like to improve further, but it's something that we value in our society," Crooks said.

From left, Second Secretary at the Finnish Embassy Oskari Lampi, Lampi's spouse Chiho Kandori, Danish Ambassador to Korea Svend Olling, Olling's spouse Duygu Olling and First Secretary at the Swedish Embassy Sebastian Roing pose with the Nordic embassies' banner as they participate in the Seoul Queer Culture Festival (SQCF) march held on the streets of Euljiro, central Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of Embassy of Denmark in Korea

The four Scandinavian countries ― Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden ― opened a joint booth based on their shared values.

“LGBTQ+ rights are a matter of basic human rights. There's still much work that needs to be done worldwide and that's why the Danish embassy ― together with our Nordic colleagues ― has been participating in the annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival for many years now," new Danish Ambassador to Korea Svend Olling said as he marched in the pride parade with diplomatic colleagues.

"Denmark is proud to stand here in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Korea. Everyone should have the right to live a life free from discrimination and have equal opportunities and rights. This is my first Seoul pride in Korea, and I look forward to participating in many more during my post here.”

Swedish Ambassador to Korea Daniel Wolven said this year's turnout was impressive, mirroring the growth of the pride movement that he witnessed in his home country.

"I think this year's festival is great and I'm happy to see this many people coming to this festival in support of equality and human rights," Wolven said.

He visited the festival just before he headed to Stockholm, where one of the largest pride event in the northern Europe is held.

"This year, the Stockholm Pride celebration marks its 25th anniversary. What started out as a smaller event has grown and it's a big part of our community now and the entire city comes out to support it. I'm happy to say that a little bit of this is also happening in Seoul," Wolven added.

The embassies of the European Union, France, the Netherlands and Ireland operate a booth the Seoul Queer Culture Festival (SQCF) held on the streets of Euljiro, central Seoul, Saturday, promoting their respective efforts in promoting equality and human rights. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo

Another booth featured the Delegation of European Union in Korea alongside three European countries ― France, the Netherlands and Ireland ― while Australia and New Zealand set up a joint booth.

A diplomat from the French embassy noted that countries need to collaborate to safeguard human rights and France is one of the pioneering countries in advocating human rights with a strong commitment.

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg, along with several other envoys here, sent a video message to the SQCF, noting that Pride Month is a chance to celebrate the progress made to advance equality and human rights for LGBTQI+ persons and to honor the activists who have devoted their lives to this effort.

"It's not only a priority of our foreign policy, it's our shared responsibility to ensure that every individual around the world is equally respected no matter who they are or who they love," Goldberg said.

"As (U.S.) President (Joe) Biden said at the beginning of Pride Month, pride is a celebration of generations of LGBTQI+ people who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically. And it is a reminder that we still have generational work to do to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equity, dignity, protection and freedom."