[Editorial] The Ministry of Education that Excluded Sexual Minorities from ‘Hate and Discrimination Materials’ is the Real Embodiment of Hate and Discrimination

The Ministry of Education has created materials to prevent and respond to hatred and discrimination, but has removed content related to LGBTQ+ individuals. This exclusion of LGBTQ+ matters is seen as a violation of their safety and equal rights, effectively teaching hatred and discrimination against them. This decision, based on a draft prepared by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, omits references to sexual orientation and gender identity from the list of protected groups.

The Ministry of Education cited concerns from parents and opposition from many local education offices as reasons for this decision. LGBTQ+ students are among the most targeted groups for hatred and discrimination within schools. Even during the recent education ministerial elections, some local office candidates made anti-gay statements as key campaign promises, and online hate speech against LGBTQ+ individuals is commonplace in schools.

According to a 2024 survey by the National Human Rights Commission, 31.2% (142) of LGBTQ+ teenagers experienced bullying from teachers and 60.4% (275) from their peers. Nearly 69.0% (303) of these youths showed signs of depression, more than double the rate of 27.7% reported in the 2025 Youth Statistics from the Ministry of Family Affairs.

The Ministry of Education claims that the purpose of this material is to prevent and address hatred and discrimination in schools, fostering a safe environment for students to express differing opinions while respecting others' dignity and rights. However, the decision to exclude LGBTQ+ matters appears to contradict this very objective.

Teaching about specific values in sexual orientation is not the same as teaching that LGBTQ+ hate is unacceptable. Despite ongoing differences in societal attitudes towards sexual orientation, the education authorities must still teach the basic principle that LGBTQ+ hate and discrimination are not acceptable and must protect LGBTQ+ students.