The Report on Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Korea 2) Hate Speech Towards LGBTQ A) Controversy Related to LGBTQ by Media, Officials and Politicians According to a survey on people’s perception by numerous survey agencies,74) perception on the rights of LGBTQ has improved, although slightly, in various areas, including the legalization of same-sex marriage, being fired due to sexual orientation, individual impression on LGBTQ, etc. However, hate speech itself has increased, mostly online, and the hate speech towards LGBTQ is also at a level to cause concern. Most people in Korea encounter LGBTQ through media reports and video, such as TV dramas and movies. The spread of COVID-19 from Itaewon clubs during May 2020 is an example. At the time, the media focused its reports on the sexual orientation of the visitors to the Itaewon clubs. Many civic groups assessed these reports as inciting discrimination against LGBTQ, unrelated to COVID-19 prevention.75) On Feb. 13, 2021, SBS aired the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” and deleted or blurred the scenes where the main character kisses his same-sex partner. SBS explained that it did not intend any opposition to homosexuality, and stated that It only referenced a case where the Korea Communications Standards Commission sanctioned a TV drama <Seonam Girls’ High School Investigation Team> for airing a close-up of two high school girls kissing in 2015. However, civic groups and domestic and overseas media criticized it as discrimination and censorship.76) A candidate for the 4/7 election for the mayor of Seoul, when asked ‘whether he has any intent of attending the queer festival?’ during a TV debate on Feb. 18, 2021, answered that ‘a person’s human rights must be respected,‘ but ’the right to 74) Gallup Korea, Gallup Report (May 2021), Regular Survey of Hankook Research (Jul. 2021), etc. 75) CCDM, “Reports on Itaewon Clubs, Is Media a Cradle of Hatred?”, May 14, 2020. 76) Hankook Ilbo, “”SBS Deleting Scenes from Bohemian Rhapsody Becomes an International News... Foreign press dubbing ‘China-like Censorship’”, Feb. 18, 2021. 78