Mujigae korea

D. Sanders

The existence of homosexuals in South Korea was routinely denied in the past. In the 1990s a number of changes began, notably the expansion of the gay bar scene, a set of activist organizations and public "pride" events. The firing of popular television actor Hong Suk Chun in 2000 was a major public event, giving new visibility to homosexuals. The sensational transsexual star Harisu has also changed public perceptions. The new international support for "human rights" led South Korea to establish a National Human Rights Commission in 2001. The Commission had a mandate to deal with discrimination on the basis of "sexual orientation" and acted positively on that mandate, including funding gay and lesbian organizations to carry out particular programs.