Milestone-Judgment in favor of homosexual couples in South Korea
The Supreme Court in South Korea has restricted the rights of same-sex couples with a celebrated judgment by human rights activists. According to the court, gay and lesbian couples must receive the same benefits in health insurance as heterosexual relationships. The refusal of the state insurance service to offer a spousal certificate to same-sex couples is discriminatory and contradicts the constitutional principle of equality.
"Today's ruling is a historic victory for equality and human rights in South Korea," Amnesty International shared. The court made a notable step towards eliminating systemic discrimination and ensuring the inclusivity of all.
This judgment marks the culmination of a legal dispute between the gay couple So Seong Wook and Kim Yong Min and the national health insurance service. The latter had revoked the registration of So as a family member of Kim, leading to a lawsuit. In 2022, the Administrative Court in Seoul initially ruled in favor of the insurance service, but in February 2023, the Seoul High Court overturned the decision, arguing that the same-sex couple would be disadvantaged compared to heterosexuals. Now, the Supreme Court of South Korea has spoken.
The public stance in South Korea on sexual self-determination and gender issues has changed gradually in recent years. However, critics argue that South Korea, compared to other developed countries, still has a long way to go in this area. In South Korea, same-sex marriage is not legally recognized.
Following the Supreme Court's decision, South Korea's gay community celebrated a significant Milestone-Judgment towards equality, marking a triumphant victory in Pairs' fight for equal rights in health insurance benefits. Despite this victory, there's still a need for further advancements in legalizing same-sex marriage in South Korea.
