The Korean Methodist Church has suspended Rev. Lee Dong-hwan for two years for holding a “blessing ceremony” at a queer festival in August last year, during which he gave a blessing to the LGBTQ community and scattered flower petals. In a secular hearing held in Yongin City, Thursday, the judicial committee of the Gyeonggi Province branch of the Korea Methodist Church ruled against the pastor, saying “Participation in the queer festival and the blessing itself can be seen as an approval of homosexuality.” According to the “regulations” of the Korean Methodist Church, any act seen as supporting homosexuality is considered breaking the tenets of the church. Lee vowed to appeal to a higher authority after the ruling.