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Wed, January 27, 2021 | 06:17
US embassy in Seoul takes down rainbow flag
Posted : 2019-06-10 16:53
Updated : 2019-06-11 15:29
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Members of Christian groups protest against the U.S. Embassy's practice of flying the rainbow flag. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Members of Christian groups protest against the U.S. Embassy's practice of flying the rainbow flag. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Jung Min-ho

Members of Christian groups protest against the U.S. Embassy's practice of flying the rainbow flag. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has taken down a large rainbow flag from the mission building, after displaying the flag for three weeks, apparently in support of "LGBTQ Pride Month."

The move comes amid media reports that the U.S. State Department disapproved all embassy requests to fly the popular symbol of gay rights outside their buildings this year ― a revelation suggests that displaying the flag was U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris' own decision.

"This is a category one insurrection,"
the Washington Post quoted a U.S. diplomat as saying.

The practice by U.S. embassies, which started during the Barack Obama administration, now requires top-level approval from the State Department.

In 2011, the Obama administration directed government agencies overseas to promote LGBT rights.

But after Mike Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, became secretary of state, things started to change: diplomats were required to obtain permission from the State Department's Office of Management to fly a rainbow flag.

In fact, the practice has caused controversy among members of the Republican Party, which has long opposed LGBT rights, as well as protests in other countries, including Korea.

Franklin Graham, a pastor and prominent Trump supporter, said the rainbow flag could be offensive to many people.

"The only flag that should fly over our embassies is the flag of the USA," he wrote
on Twitter. "The gay pride flag is offensive to Christians and millions of people of other faiths, not only in this country but around the world."


Emailmj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
Pence confirms rainbow flag ban at US embassies
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has confirmed the Donald Trump administration's decision to ban U.S. embassies from flying rainbow flags during “LGBTQ Pride Month.” Pence told NBC N...









 
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