U.S. embassy in South Korea displays rainbow flag of gay pride

July 13 (UPI) -- The United States embassy in South Korea unfurled a gay pride banner across the front of its building to show U.S. solidarity with gay rights activists in the country.

The display of the symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride and social movements is an unprecedented move for the U.S. mission in Seoul, local news service News 1 reported Thursday.

The move comes a few days ahead of a planned event of the country's annual Queer Culture Festival, to be held on Saturday at Seoul Plaza, within walking distance of the embassy.

A representative of the embassy told News 1 the banner is on display to show support and solidarity for South Koreans who are raising awareness of LGBTQ issues during the festival.

The U.S. Department of State protects the fundamental freedoms of sexual minorities and will show solidarity for human rights activists and civic groups who ensure those freedoms, the embassy said, according to the South Korean press report.

The festival was launched in 2000 to raise public awareness of LGBTQ issues and rights, but has for the most part focused on the culture of sexual minorities rather than political calls for recognition and equality.

Festival organizers said this week the event is an "opportunity for sexual minorities to extend a handshake to the mainstream society, that is currently burdened with prejudice and discrimination" against LGBTQ individuals.

The embassy has taken part in the festival with a booth since 2015, and former Amb. Mark Lippert was one of 14 ambassadors in South Korea to show support for LGBTQ rights on a festival stage.

South Korean law bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but homosexuality is not condoned in the strict military.

Gay marriages in South Korea are not recognized publicly.