South Korea Supreme Court Upholds Same-Sex Couples' Rights
South Korea's Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex partners are eligible for spousal benefits from state health insurance, a landmark decision for LGBTQ rights in the country. The court upheld a previous ruling by the Seoul High Court, mandating that the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) provide equal coverage to a gay couple who had filed a lawsuit in 2021. The decision was based on the principle that denying such benefits constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The case was brought by So Seong-wook and Kim Yong-min, a gay couple who live together and held a wedding ceremony in 2019, though their marriage is not legally recognized in South Korea. The ruling, which cannot be appealed, allows common-law spouses of the same sex to register as dependents on their partners' health insurance. The Supreme Court emphasized that such discrimination violates human dignity and values, including the right to pursue happiness and equality before the law. Amnesty International described the decision as a significant step towards dismantling systemic discrimination and ensuring inclusivity for all.
