Compare LGBT Rights in South Korea

Equality Index ?
50 / 100
Legal Index ?
60 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
39 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Same-sex marriageForeign same-sex marriages recognized only
Since 2019
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorship
Since 2003
Right to change legal genderLegal, no restrictions
Since 2020
Gender-affirming careRestricted
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognized
Hate crime protectionsUnknown
LGBT discriminationVaries by Region
LGBT employment discriminationVaries by Region
LGBT housing discriminationVaries by Region
Same-sex adoptionIllegal
Intersex infant surgeryNot banned
Serving openly in militaryIllegal
Blood donations by MSMsLegal
Conversion therapyNot banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
20% Did not mention homosexuals
80% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
3% Justifiable
61% Not justifiable
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
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
7% Justifiable
58% Not justifiable
"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
Full Details