Yun Hyon-seok facts for kids

Yun Hyon-seok (Hangul: 윤현석; Hanja: 尹賢碩; August 7, 1984 – April 26, 2003) was a South Korean poet, writer, and activist for human rights. He worked to make sure everyone was treated fairly, no matter who they were.

From the early 2000s until he passed away, Yun Hyon-seok was a well-known person who spoke up for others. He stood against people who were unfair to those who were different. He also fought against ideas that were not kind or understanding.

During his school years, he sometimes felt left out by his classmates. In 2002, he decided to leave his school. From 1999 to 2003, he was very active in movements that fought against unfair treatment. He also worked for human rights and against prejudice.

In 2001, he started his writing career, focusing mainly on poetry. He also wrote other things and was a columnist. Because of his own identity, he faced a lot of unfairness and prejudice. In 2002, he joined a group called the Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea. He was also a peace activist and believed in not joining the military because of his strong beliefs.

Until his death, he kept writing poetry and stories. However, some of his work was not accepted because of who he was. After 2000, he was involved in many movements. These included human rights, fighting discrimination, supporting people with disabilities, and working for peace.

He used special writing names, called pen names. These were Yook Woo Dang (육우당, 六友堂), which means "home of six friends," and Seolheon (설헌, 雪軒). People also knew him by his nicknames Midong (미동, 美童), meaning "beautiful boy," or Donghwa (동화, 童花), meaning "boy flower." His Christian name was "Antonio."

A Young Life

Early Years and School

Yun Hyon-seok was born in 1984 in Incheon, South Korea. He grew up in a family that was very religious. He was given the name "Antonio" when he was baptized. His parents were both school teachers.

He faced bullying during his time at school. Because of this, he left Incheon High School in 2002. His family found it hard to accept his identity and wanted him to be different. But Yun Hyon-seok said, "I can't be different and don't want to be different." He often felt alone, and he wrote about these feelings in his diary.

In October 2002, he wrote in his diary: "I don't think I'm strange. In this world, some people are born right-handed, and some are born left-handed. Both are natural. There is more than one path in life. Most people take the easy path, but I have to walk a lonely, quiet path." He loved to read books like The Diary of Anne Frank.

Writing and Expressing Ideas

As a teenager, Yun Hyon-seok used writing to help him through tough times. He also spent time volunteering at places for children without parents and groups for people with disabilities.

He felt strongly about how unfair things were in South Korea. Many leaders did not support people who were different. They thought it went against old traditions. He was sad that some people said his writings were wrong because of these old ideas.

Working for Fairness

South Korean LGBT Flag

Because many people, especially some religious groups, did not like the themes in his writings, he could not use his real name. Even though he wanted to, he used the pen name Yook Woo Dang instead.

In January 2001, he joined two poetry clubs as a student. He continued to be active and wrote many poems for two years. In February 2001, he joined an organization called the Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea. He later worked for them.

In the fall of 2002, Yun Hyon-seok looked for more people to help the Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea. His strong wish to help was approved for the next year.

His Passing and Legacy

On April 26, 2003, Yun Hyon-seok passed away at the age of 18. His death helped bring about changes in South Korea. It led to a law called the Youth Protection Act (청소년 보호법). This law helped protect young people who were different and faced unfair treatment.

A collection of his writings was published in 2006, after he had passed away.

Books by Yun Hyon-seok

• Yook Woo Dang: 《Let My Spirit Rain Down as Flower Petals》(육우당: 내 혼은 꽃비 되어) (2013)
• 《Diary of Yook Woo Dang》(육우당일기 六友堂日記, not published)

More About Yun Hyon-seok

Besides "Yook Woo Dang," he also used the pen name "Seolheon." This name was a nod to an older Korean poet named Heo Nanseolheon.

See also

In Spanish: Yun Hyon-seok para niños

• Conscription in South Korea (about joining the military)
• Jeon Tae-il (another Korean activist)