South Korea Court Upholds Military Same-Sex Relationships Ban
The Facts
South Korea's constitutional court upheld a law prohibiting same-sex relationships in the military on Thursday.
In a five-to-four vote, the court ruled that same-sex relationships could harm troops' combat readiness and jeopardize the army’s discipline.
The Spin
Narrative A
The decision to uphold an outdated law — which fuels violence and discrimination against and stigmatization of soldiers in the LGBTQ community — is a distressing setback in the decades-long struggle for gay rights and equality in the armed forces both in South Korea and worldwide.
Narrative B
Allowing same-sex relationships between troops would undermine military discipline, potentially upend the army's hierarchy, and thus may impact South Korea's military readiness. In addition, Article 92-6 is not meant to punish sexual orientation but to deter sexual abuse in the army.
