http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?id=2605&sd=01/10/02

Gay activists in South Korea filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the
government, calling its ban on South Korea's first Internet Web site for gays
unconstitutional. 

Fifteen lesbian and gay groups banded together to ask a court in Seoul to
repeal the government's ban on the site (www.exzone.com), which is run by the
Lesbian and Gay Alliance Against Discrimination in Korea. "The government has
no right to determine people's sexual orientation," protest leader Im Tae-Hun
said at a press conference. He added that the ban also runs counter to the
constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, speech, and the press.


The government has blocked access to the site from schools, libraries, state
offices, and cybercafes, although home users can still enter it. A government
committee for youth protection has designated the site as "detrimental to the
morals of young people." 

"Even if we don't stand a chance of winning the case," Im continued, "we will
take the case to international human rights organizations to call
international attention to this issue."