The Report on Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Korea Seoul Citizens’ Human Rights Violation Relief Committee determined the statement made by a Seoul government employee on Dec. 20, 201978) to be hate speech.79) According to the decision, the concerned statement did not simply express an opinion opposing the queer festival, but used expressions that emphasized obscenity, for the general public to recognize the “queer festivals to be obscene” and to further recognize the “LGBTQ community to be obscene.” There are opinions that specific objects, exhibitions, sales activities and acts of exposure and expression from the queer festival may be ‘suggestive’ or ‘harmful’ to adolescents, but they are not ‘obscene’ as prohibited by the Criminal Act.80) These opinions are clearly not the reasons to exclude the queer festivals from allowing to use the Seoul Square, but trying to stipulate them as worthless acts or disorderly conducts to be subjected to legal prohibition is, in itself, a social prejudice against the LGBTQ community. It is making a conclusion that the principal of the festival is the LGBTQ community and such fact leads to obscene or decadent acts, not based on the contents of the queer festival. C) Adverse Effects of Hate Speeches and Need to Establish Countermeasures Hate speeches’ impact and the degree of an adverse influence may differ depending on the position and status of the speaker. The visibility of minorities through media, etc. plays an important role for the people to recognize the LGBTQ community as members of the society. On the other hand, hate speeches of public officials and politicians can spread fast and cause more fear among the members of the targeted group, and the acceptability of the idea encompassed in the hate speech will increase among other members. 78) 17 Seoul government employees released similar statement in 2019. 79) Recommendation for Correction by Seoul Citizens’ Human Rights Violations Relief Committee on Dec. 20, 2019 (19-Application-47) 80) Seoul, ‘Casebook of Human Rights Violations by the Seoul Citizens’ Human Rights Officer (2019)’ referencing expert opinions, 2021. 80