Compare LGBT Rights in South Korea

Equality Index ?
44 / 100
Legal Index ?
44 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
45 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Same-sex marriageBanned
Since 1948
Censorship of LGBT IssuesState-enforced
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires surgery
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognized
LGBT discriminationIllegal in some contexts
Since 1948
LGBT employment discriminationVaries by Region
LGBT housing discriminationVaries by Region
Same-sex adoptionIllegal
Serving openly in militaryIllegal
Blood donations by MSMsLegal
Conversion therapyNot banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Public Opinion
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, June 21, 2023)
41% Good Place
0%
Support of same-sex marriage
(Pew Research Center, Feb. 21, 2023 – April 15, 2023)
41% Favor
56% Oppose
Support for same-sex adoption
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
45% Strongly/somewhat agree
46% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for same-sex marriage or legal recognition
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
53% Support marriage or legal recognition
24% Against
Views about same-sex couples' parenting
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
38% Strongly/somewhat agree
50% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Perceived prevalence of transgender discrimination
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
19% Not much/not at all
70% A great deal/fair amount
Support for transgender discrimination protection
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
70% Strongly/somewhat agree
23% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for teens’ access to gender-affirming care
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
61% Strongly/somewhat agree
28% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for trans access to facilities matching gender identity
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
46% Strongly/somewhat agree
41% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for non-binary gender option on official documents
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
50% Strongly/somewhat agree
39% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Support for insurance coverage of gender transition costs
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
28% Strongly/somewhat agree
64% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
3% Justifiable
61% Not justifiable
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
20% Did not mention homosexuals
80% Mentioned homosexuals
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
54% Support
26% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
46% Agree
45% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
23% Agree
40% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
44% Yes
53% No
Support for gender-affirming surgery
(ERA - LGBTI Equal Rights Association, July-August 2016)
64% Support
24% Oppose
Support for same-sex marriage
(ILGA / RIWI, April-June 2014)
32% Yes
36% No
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
7% Justifiable
58% Not justifiable
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
20% Did not mention homosexuals
80% Mentioned homosexuals
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
39% Yes
59% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
18% Good place
57% Not a good place
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2005-2009)
5% Justifiable
68% Not justifiable
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2005-2009)
13% Did not mention homosexuals
87% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2000-2004)
7% Justifiable
70% Not justifiable
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2000-2004)
18% Did not mention homosexuals
82% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1995-1999)
4% Justifiable
80% Not justifiable
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1990-1994)
1% Justifiable
89% Not justifiable
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 1990-1994)
4% Did not mention homosexuals
96% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1981-1984)
3% Justifiable
76% Not justifiable
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