SEOUL, June 13 (AJP) - Tens of thousands of LGBTQ rights advocates and conservative Christians are gathering in downtown Seoul on Saturday for rival rallies, marking the city's largest annual face-off over sexual minority rights.
The Seoul Queer Culture Festival kicked off at 11 a.m., with organizers operating stages and booths along Namdaemun-ro and Ujeongguk-ro in central Seoul.
The festival’s main event, the Queer Parade, is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Participants plan to march a 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) route starting from Jonggak Station, passing by Myeongdong Cathedral and Seoul Plaza, and concluding near Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station. Organizers have notified police of an estimated 50,000 attendees.
Meanwhile, just 600 meters away from the festival, a Christian group known as the "Holy Breakwater" is set to hold a counter-protest starting at 1 p.m. outside the Seoul Metropolitan Council building.
Under the slogan "Marriage between a man and a woman, a healthy South Korea," the group will voice its opposition to homosexuality and a proposed comprehensive anti-discrimination law. The conservative protesters plan to march toward the historic Sungnyemun Gate.
The Christian coalition has registered an estimated 30,000 participants with authorities for their rally.
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