The 26th Seoul Queer Culture Festival took place on June 14, 2025, under the theme “We Never Stop” – a testament to the community’s resilience after years of conservative back.The festival coincided with the recent election of liberal President Lee Jae‑myung earlier this month, offering newfound optimism for LGBTQ+ rights, even though he has yet to take a clear public stance on the issue .Organizers report ~30,000 attendees, while police estimate a lower figure of around 7,000, reflecting a significant turnout .
peaceful march began at 4:30 p.m. (KST), with participants calling for stronger anti-discrimination protections and recognition of LGBTQ+ partnerships .Conservative religious groups held separate protests with slogans like “Homosexuality Stop,” yet tensions remained calm and non-confrontationalTemperatures around 31 °C (88 °F) and clear skies made for a festive atmosphere, with booths from LGBTQ+ organizations, university clubs, and even foreign embassies .
– The annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival was held in the South Korean capital on Saturday after the country ushered in a new liberal president, though it faced concurrent protests against the LGBT community’s pride celebrations.
While the community has made some advances towards broader acceptance in Korean society, conservative religious groups still mount resistance to efforts to pass laws against discrimination, and there is no legal acknowledgement of LGBTQ+ partnerships.