In a landmark ruling for LGBTQ+ rights, South Korea’s Supreme Court has declared that denying health insurance coverage to same-sex couples based on their sexual orientation constitutes serious discrimination. This ruling represents a significant step towards equality and inclusivity in the country.In a landmark ruling for LGBTQ+ rights, South Korea’s Supreme Court has declared that denying health insurance coverage to same-sex couples based on their sexual orientation constitutes serious discrimination. This ruling represents a significant step towards equality and inclusivity in the country. The court’s decision grants same-sex couples the right to register their partners as dependents for national health insurance, a benefit previously only available to married couples and individuals in common-law relationships. This ruling recognizes that same-sex couples form economic partnerships similar to traditional families and should be eligible for the same benefits. The ruling stems from a case brought by So Seong-wook, who filed a complaint after his application to add his partner, Kim Yong-min, as a dependent on his health insurance was rejected. Lower courts initially upheld the rejection, but an appeals court overturned the decision, and the Supreme Court has now affirmed the appeals court’s ruling. The Supreme Court’s emphasis on the “economic cohabitation” of same-sex couples is significant, as it provides a legal framework for recognizing the validity of same-sex relationships beyond traditional marriage. Human rights activists have hailed the ruling as a potential gateway to legalizing same-sex marriage in South Korea, as it establishes a precedent for recognizing the rights and protections afforded to married couples. Public attitudes towards same-sex relationships in South Korea have been shifting in recent years, with Gallup Korea polls showing a steady increase in support for legalizing same-sex marriage. Despite opposition from conservative Christian groups, there is growing awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights in the country. The Supreme Court’s ruling is a powerful victory for equality and human rights, and it sets an important precedent for other countries seeking to dismantle systemic discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
The country’s highest court has ruled that denying insurance to a gay couple based on their gender constitutes serious discrimination
 "South Korean Supreme Court grants gay couples health insurance discount")
Representative image (Photo: Wikimedia.org)
Nandini Singh New Delhi
In a landmark ruling for gay rights, South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday declared that same-sex couples are eligible for national health insurance coverage, a decision hailed by human rights activists as a potential gateway to legalizing same-sex marriage in the country.
The court ruling allows same-sex couples to register their partners as dependents for national health insurance, similar to the benefits enjoyed by married couples or people in common-law marriages. It marks a significant step in a country where many benefits are denied to couples outside traditional family norms.
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The country’s highest court ruled that denying insurance to a gay couple based solely on their gender constitutes serious discrimination and violates the dignity, values, right to pursue happiness, freedom of privacy and equality before the law of citizens.
The case was brought by So Seong-wook, who filed a complaint in 2021 after his application to register as a dependent of his partner, Kim Yong-min, was rejected by South Korea’s health insurance agency. The agency’s rejection, which required So to pay a separate monthly insurance premium, was initially upheld by a district court. However, an appeals court overturned that decision in February last year, saying that while So and Kim’s union did not qualify as a common-law marriage under South Korean law, they should still be eligible for dependent coverage.
The Supreme Court’s approval of the appeals court ruling emphasized that same-sex couples constitute an “economic cohabitation equivalent to” married and registered couples.
“I hope today’s ruling will be a stepping stone towards achieving equality in the marriage system for sexual minorities,” So said at a news conference.
Kim, who has long called himself So’s “husband” and “companion” without legal recognition, shared his joy: “I’m so happy that the court recognized some of that today.”
Borang Jang, an East Asia researcher at Amnesty International, called the ruling historic. “The court has taken an important step towards dismantling systemic discrimination and ensuring inclusiveness for all,” she said.
“The case itself is a sobering reminder of the lengthy legal processes that gay couples must endure to secure basic rights that should be universally guaranteed,” she added.
While there is no official data on same-sex relationships in South Korea, government data shows that the number of people living together in “non-family households” doubled to one million between 2016 and 2022.
Despite strong opposition from conservative Christian groups to legalizing same-sex marriage or introducing anti-discrimination laws, public attitudes are changing. Gallup Korea polls show that support for legalizing same-sex marriage has risen from 17 percent at the turn of the century to 40 percent in May of last year.
(With input from the agency)
