Hong Seok-cheon turns his eye to politics

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Thu, December 8, 2022 | 22:08

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Hong Seok-cheon turns his eye to politics

'탑게이' 홍석천, 구청장 되면 게이상담센터 마련할것

Posted : 2015-02-23 17:02

Updated : 2015-02-24 16:35

Hong Seok-cheon / Korea Times photo by Kim Jae-heun

By Kim Jae-heun

Korea's first gay celebrity, Hong Seok-cheon, 45, hopes to become a leader of the Yongsan District Office soon with the aim of promoting cultural spaces for young artists and small businesses, while providing welfare for sexual minorities.

"I will build a counseling center for young homosexuals and help parents who have gay children," he told The Korea Times at an Itaewon dessert restaurant that he owns. "I want to use my diverse connections and experience to build a night market, where the fashion business will grow and young artists share their ideas.

Hong said he was ready to become an administrator.

After living in Yongsan for 10 years, he believes he can bring changes. But, most importantly, he has a special reason to become the district's leader.

"If I am elected, I will be the first gay person to become a government official," he said. "It means the country has accepted my identity as a homosexual."

Hong believes Yongsan needs an open-minded leader, because the district is very conservative, although it has liberal elements.

"The district needs to develop its alleys to preserve its tradition and history," he said. "Regulations or oppression should not restrict small businesses from prospering. Nowadays, many young artists are pushed out of Hongdae, once a home for urban arts and indie musicians."

The fashion streets of Itaewon in Yongsan generally close between 7pm and 9 p.m. Hong plans to set up a night market that will change Itaewon's "copycat" image _ gained because of the counterfeit goods sold there.

He believes young artists, with no money but a dream, can turn the streets into a distinctive market that attracts people and foreign visitors.

"My artistic strength and business mind are my assets to be a successful candidate for Yongsan District chief," he said.

Whether he wants it or not, an all-around entertainer Hong has become a role model of gays. His coming-out in 2000 has given courage to many young people in Korea, a country where homosexuality remains a taboo.

"I think Korean society has changed a little," said Hong. "Before, it was impossible to think about revealing one's sexual identity to others. Now, they won't slap your face for being gay. Friends and families are starting to understand one's hardship of life as a gay.

"I received many e-mails from teenagers that they got courage to come out after listening to my message on TV. I never had a role model who I can look up to when I decided to come out," said Hong.

He tried to close the gap between himself and the public by participating in talk shows. But he was banned from major roles on television.

Still, Hong was a positive person who never gave up. He focused on new roles - such as that of entrepreneur. Now, he owns more restaurants than anybody in Itaewon, one of the trendy towns in Seoul.

"People are starting to recognized my effort, especially my achievement in the restaurant business," said Hong. "I think Korea tends to be more generous towards successful people.

"Young people started to admire me for living a cool life and old people found my know-how in business interesting," said Hong.

Stance on gay marriage

When asked to give his opinion on Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon changing his words over legalizing homosexual marriage in Korea, Hong said he could understand the major's stance.

"My gay friends requested me to join their protest in front of Seoul Metropolitan Government one time," Hong said. "They wanted me to stand in front of reporters and appeal the rights of homosexuals but I refused. I knew how Major would have felt then and I thought he needed time."

"If Park had said ‘I hate gay people,' then it is different story. But leaving no comment means he is in agreement up to certain point. He is honest and flexible man," said Hong.

Still, Hong thinks it is too early for legalization of gay marriage in Korea. He believes the matter needs speculation over time as it took 10 years for society to accept him.

'탑게이' 홍석천, 구청장 되면 게이상담센터 마련할것

최근 ‘탑 게이’로 큰 인기를 끌고 있는 방송인 홍석천이 11일와의 인터뷰를 통해 자신의 50대 꿈은 “용산구청장이 되어 게이 자녀를 둔 가족들과 청소년 게이들을 위한 상담센터를 마련하는 것”이라고 밝혔다.

또, 홍석천은 “짝퉁으로 대표되는 이태원 패션산업의 자생력을 키우기 위해 적극 지원할 계획이며, 홍대에서 쫓겨나는 젊고 감각 있는 예술가들을 위해 야간거리와 나이트 마켓을 만들 것”이라 말했다.

홍석천은 “정치인이 아닌 행정가로서 구청장이 되고 싶다”고 했고, “이태원에 오래 살다 보니 대중이 무엇을 원하고, 어떤 변화를 꾀어야 많은 사람들이 맘 편히 사업하고 행복을 추구할 수 있는지 알게 되었다”고 말했다.

이어 자신은 “다양한 경험과 인프라를 갖고 있고, 예술적 감성과 합리적인 경영 마인드 소유자로서, 사람들과 열린 마음으로 소통해야 하는 용산구청장 직의 적임자라고 생각한다” 말했다.

홍석천이 오는 2018년도 지방선거에서 용산구청장에 당선 된다면, 국내 최초 동성애자 공무원이 탄생하게 된다.

홍석천은 이에 대해 “현직에 계신 공무원들 중에 동성애자가 분명 있겠지만, 실제로 자신의 성 정체성을 밝힌 이는 없었기 때문에, 내가 용산구청장이 되는 것은 다르다”라고 말했다. 그 이유는 “사람들이 내가 게이라는 사실을 인지한 상태에서 뽑은 것이기 때문에, 대한민국이라는 이 나라가 동성애자들을 버리지 않았다는 것을 의미한다” 라고 말했다.

jhkim@koreatimes.co.kr Article List