It has been confirmed that the research lead at an institution that won a commissioned study on the anti-discrimination law from the National Human Rights Commission has publicly expressed the view that they ‘oppose the anti-discrimination law’. This lead has also publicly expressed support for Commission Chair An Chang-ho, who has been embroiled in controversy for anti-LGBT remarks. Within the National Human Rights Commission, there is concern that this research project could be used as a basis for discrimination against sexual minorities and others.

According to Kyunghyang Shinmun reporting on the 3rd, the National Human Rights Commission on the 27th of last month selected ‘Law Firm A’ as the contractor for the commissioned study ‘A Survey of Implementation Cases and Impacts of Overseas Anti-Discrimination Law Regimes’ and signed a contract. Law Firm A won the bid with an overall score of 91.5, beating the Sookmyung Women's University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation (90.2) by about 1.3 points.

Commissioning the project, the National Human Rights Commission stated its purpose as follows: “To examine the legislative processes and substantive provisions of anti-discrimination laws in major foreign countries, and the legal, policy, and social changes after implementation, and through this to explore the domestic legislative direction (principles) for an anti-discrimination law and key tasks.” The department in charge of commissioning is the ‘Hate Speech Response Division’.

Given the stated purpose and the sharply divided domestic debate over enacting an anti-discrimination law, this study needs to be conducted from a fair and objective perspective. However, controversy has arisen as it has been confirmed that Attorney B, appointed as the research lead, has routinely made anti-homosexuality remarks and has openly opposed enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law.

In a 2024 media interview, Attorney B said, “Children who accept homosexuality and gender transition see their lives become unhappy,” and “Looking at statistics and research from the countries where a comprehensive anti-discrimination law was implemented first, the high mortality or suicidal ideation among sexual minorities has not decreased meaningfully over 50 years.” They went on to claim, “The decisive factor in suicidal ideation is not social discrimination but problems inherent in homosexuality and gender transition themselves.”

Attorney B has also appeared on various YouTube programs, saying, “Looking at the media, they do not speak about the realities of homosexuality or gender transition, so children are unable to develop a balanced perspective.” They further argued, “Among Christian countries, Korea is the last fortress that has not succumbed to gender ideology or an anti-discrimination law” and “Through human rights education, the phenomenon of spreading gender (ideology)including homosexuality and gender transitionto children” “will be intensified to an extreme degree if a comprehensive anti-discrimination law is implemented.” They also wrote and published a book containing such content.

Attorney B also expressed public support for Commission Chair An Chang-ho, who was embroiled in controversy over anti-LGBT remarks. In September 2024, they attended a press conference in front of the National Assembly, organized by conservative Christian groups to support Chair An on the day of his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. At the time, participants claimed he was “a definitive figure who can end the improper activities of state institutions stepping forward to support homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and who can block the anti-discrimination law that seeks to move society toward totalitarianism.” Attorney B also took part in and spoke at an anti-homosexuality event held as a counter-protest during the 2024 Seoul Queer Culture Festival.

Within the National Human Rights Commission, concerns are being raised about whether the study led by Attorney B can ensure objectivity. One Commission employee said, “Judging from the remarks of Attorney B, it appears highly likely to end up with selective findings,” and added, “We worry that the results could be used in a way that suggests, ‘the National Human Rights Commission also opposes homosexuality’.”

Questions are also being raised about the process by which Law Firm A won the study contract. Chair An has long opposed enacting a comprehensive anti-discrimination law. He also stirred controversy by announcing he would take part in an anti-homosexuality counter-protest during the Seoul Queer Culture Festival scheduled for the 13th of this month. Another Commission employee said, “With Attorney B, a simple search shows who they are, so we are left wondering why this was not vetted during the contracting process“.

In the ‘Special Conditions of the Research Contract’ document presented when the National Human Rights Commission commissioned the study, it is specified that ‘if, prior to concluding this contract or in the course of performance, a party causes social controversy over human rights matters so as to be markedly inconsistent with the purpose of the project, the Commission may rescind or terminate the contract’.

The National Human Rights Commission stated regarding the research contract that it “was carried out in accordance with procedures set forth in the National Contract Act and subordinate statutes.” Speaking by phone with a reporter the same day, Attorney B said, “We intend to conduct an in-depth and objective fact-finding survey in a way that ensures equality across all areas and can minimize conflicts among the entire public.”