In a significant ruling, the Incheon District Court decided in favor of the organizing committee of the Incheon Queer Culture Festival, canceling the city's denial of their request to use the public square in front of the Incheon City Hall, known as Incheon Atteul. The court ordered the city to bear all legal costs associated with the case. The decision was made on September 13, highlighting the legal challenges faced by organizing LGBTQ events in public spaces amidst opposition from local governments.

The conflict originated in August of the previous year when the organizing committee submitted their request to use Incheon Atteul for the 8th Incheon Queer Culture Festival. Incheon City denied the request, citing concerns over maintaining public order and anticipating social conflicts, which the court later deemed insufficient grounds for such a refusal. The organizing committee argued that the city's refusal was not only baseless but also part of a pattern of discriminatory practices against LGBTQ events in the region.

Despite the denial, the organizing committee went ahead with the festival, leading to a confrontation with local authorities who imposed a fine of 2 million won for unauthorized occupancy of the public square. This lawsuit and its outcome underscore the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights and recognition in South Korea, particularly in local contexts where social conservatism often clashes with efforts for inclusivity and equality.