The organizing committee of 2 million Korean churches and large prayer meetings, a Protestant voluntary group, will hold a joint service involving about 1 million people in Seoul at 2 p.m. on Sunday (27th).
On the 24th, the organizing committee announced that it would hold prayers and services to block the enactment of the same-sex marriage legalization and anti-discrimination law, saying, "We will inherit the spirit and tradition of religious reform and serve the Republic of Korea to face a second miracle." It will be held in the form of outdoor rallies between Gwanghwamun Square and Seoul Station, and is also considering expanding the scope to the National Assembly, Yeouido Park, and Jongno and Euljiro.
As of this day (24th), about 600,000 applicants will participate, and the organizing committee predicts that about 1 million people will gather, including those who have not applied.
The organizing committee defined the Supreme Court's ruling on July 18 this year, which recognized same-sex spouses in common-law relations as dependents on health insurance, as "a stepping stone for enacting anti-discrimination laws and legalizing same-sex marriage." They argue that the enactment of anti-discrimination laws proposed in the 21st National Assembly could cause reverse discrimination and punish homosexuality opponents.
At that time, the bill was discarded due to the expiration of the National Assembly's term, but the organizing committee observed that a similar bill could be proposed again.
Some worry that the organizing committee's slogan against the same-sex marriage and anti-discrimination law could encourage hatred or discrimination.
The Church Reform Practice Alliance commented, "The biggest problem with the coalition worship service is that it made hate and discrimination the main agenda, not peace and equality, in a severe situation that needs to revive the spirit of the Reformation."
Congestion in the city is expected in large gatherings where no precedent is found. Prevention of accidents is expected to be the key.
The organizing committee said it plans to deploy 400 professional safety personnel and 3,000 in-house guides, install mobile toilets, and is closely consulting with police authorities.
Lee Yu-na, reporter for the digital news team
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