Independent

South Korea’s Supreme Court recognises rights of same-sex partners in landmark ruling

Time

South Korea Supreme Court Upholds Landmark LGBTQ Ruling

In landmark verdict, South Korea's top court recognizes some rights for same-sex couples

South Korea's top court recognizes some rights for same-sex couples

The Supreme Court of South Korea ruled Thursday that same-sex couples are entitled to the same dependent coverage through the national health insurance program as straight couples. South Korea does not recognize same-sex marriage.

nytimes

The court called the denial of benefits to the couple "discrimination," and ruled that the insurance provider is required to extend coverage to "same-sex partners who have formed an economic community of life similar to a married couple."

France 24

The same-sex couple of So Sung-wook and Kim Yong-min filed a suit in 2021 against the National Health Insurance Service after their spousal benefits were cancelled. The court rejected the claims that the two were a common-law couple, while still qualifying for benefits in an arrangement "tantamount" to marriage.

Chief Justice Jo Hee-de said that the denial of benefits, while violating principles of equality, also contravened "the right to pursue happiness [and] freedom of privacy." Same-sex marriages are outlawed in South Korea, but same-sex relations are not criminally sanctioned.

Al Jazeera

The couple expressed happiness at the ruling, with Amnesty International calling it a "historic victory." So expressed hopes afterwards that South Korea will eventually recognize same-sex marriage.

A Pew Research poll from November found that 41% of South Koreans would support the legalization of same-sex marriage, which makes it ninth in a list of 12 countries in regions. In Asia, Japan expresses the most support at 68%.

South Korea: Supreme Court Rules Same-Sex Couples Entitled to Equal Health Coverage

South Korea: Supreme Court Rules Same-Sex Couples Entitled to Equal Health Coverage

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South Korea: Supreme Court Rules Same-Sex Couples Entitled to Equal Health Coverage

South Korea: Supreme Court Rules Same-Sex Couples Entitled to Equal Health Coverage

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