This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/seoul-mayor-park-wonsoon-endorses-samesex-marriage-in-first-for-south-korean-politics-9790379.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Seoul mayor Park Won-soon endorses same-sex marriage in first for south Korean politics Seoul mayor Park Won-soon endorses same-sex marriage in first for South Korean politics
(about 5 hours later)
Seoul mayor Park Won-soon has become the first mainstream politician in South Korea to openly endorse same-sex marriage.Seoul mayor Park Won-soon has become the first mainstream politician in South Korea to openly endorse same-sex marriage.
In an interview with Bay-Area daily the San Francisco Examiner, published on Sunday, Mr Won-soon said that he hoped South Korea would become the first Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage. In an interview with Bay-Area daily the San Francisco Examiner, published on Sunday, Mr Park said that he hoped South Korea would become the first Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage.
His stance on gay rights could invite controversy from the country’s social conservatives, yet he has been cited as a likely candidate for the 2016 presidential election.His stance on gay rights could invite controversy from the country’s social conservatives, yet he has been cited as a likely candidate for the 2016 presidential election.
Coming out in support of gay rights is a rarity in south Korea, with a vast majority holding negative attitudes towards LGBT people, according to recent polls. Coming out in support of gay rights is a rarity in South Korea, with a vast majority holding negative attitudes towards LGBT people, according to recent polls.
Mr Won-soon, who started his career as a human-rights lawyer, said: “I personally agree with the rights of homosexuals. But the Protestant churches are very powerful in Korea. It isn’t easy for politicians.” Mr Won-soon, who started his career as a human rights lawyer, said: “I personally agree with the rights of homosexuals. But the Protestant churches are very powerful in Korea. It isn’t easy for politicians.”
A Seoul city spokeswoman confirmed the mayor’s comments to the Wall Street Journal, which were made in late September during a visit to San Francisco.A Seoul city spokeswoman confirmed the mayor’s comments to the Wall Street Journal, which were made in late September during a visit to San Francisco.
Politicians are under considerable pressure from religious groups that oppose gay rights. This year’s annual gay-pride parade in Seoul was met with protests by Christian groups, and the authorities of the district that hosted the event later announced that they opposed it.Politicians are under considerable pressure from religious groups that oppose gay rights. This year’s annual gay-pride parade in Seoul was met with protests by Christian groups, and the authorities of the district that hosted the event later announced that they opposed it.
Local think-tank Asan Institute for Policy Studies showed just 21.5 per cent said they had little or no objections to homosexuality, with a quarter saying they supported gay marriage.Local think-tank Asan Institute for Policy Studies showed just 21.5 per cent said they had little or no objections to homosexuality, with a quarter saying they supported gay marriage.
However, due to an increase in mainstream media coverage, south Korea’s views towards homosexuality have improved in recent years, with an advance in the number of films and television shows that feature gay characters. However, due to an increase in mainstream media coverage, South Korea’s views towards homosexuality have improved in recent years, with an advance in the number of films and television shows that feature gay characters.