Current Version
| Region | South Korea |
| Issue | Same-sex marriage |
| Status | Unregistered cohabitation |
| Start Date | Feb 2023 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | Since 2023, same-sex couples can receive spousal coverage under the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) after the Seoul High Court ruling. In July 2024, the South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld the previous ruling. In 2019, the government changed its policy and decided to recognize same-sex partners of foreign diplomats stationed in Korea as "legal spouses." The government limited the scope to "spouses of foreign diplomats who are legally married in their home countries." The recognition does not extend to all same-sex marriages performed abroad. |
| Sources | https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/23/south-koreas-supreme-court-affirms-rights-same-sex-partners https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/07/south-korea-supreme-court-ruling-a-historic-victory-for-same-sex-couples/ https://www.npr.org/2023/02/21/1158475301/south-korea-same-sex-partner-government-health-insurance https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/10/26/south-korea-history-blue-house-new-zealand-gay-ambassador-husband-lgbt-rights/ https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/201910201790755799 |
Revision History (3)
| Old Value | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only | Unregistered cohabitation |
| Start Date | Oct 1, 2019 | Feb 2023 |
| Description | Currently, same-sex couples can receive spousal coverage under the National Health Insurance Service. Diplomatic same-sex marriages are also recognized. | Since 2023, same-sex couples can receive spousal coverage under the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) after the Seoul High Court ruling. In July 2024, the South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld the previous ruling. In 2019, the government changed its policy and decided to recognize same-sex partners of foreign diplomats stationed in Korea as "legal spouses." The government limited the scope to "spouses of foreign diplomats who are legally married in their home countries." The recognition does not extend to all same-sex marriages performed abroad. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/10/26/south-korea-history-blue-house-new-zealand-gay-ambassador-husband-lgbt-rights/ https://www.npr.org/2023/02/21/1158475301/south-korea-same-sex-partner-government-health-insurance | https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/23/south-koreas-supreme-court-affirms-rights-same-sex-partners https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/07/south-korea-supreme-court-ruling-a-historic-victory-for-same-sex-couples/ https://www.npr.org/2023/02/21/1158475301/south-korea-same-sex-partner-government-health-insurance https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/10/26/south-korea-history-blue-house-new-zealand-gay-ambassador-husband-lgbt-rights/ https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/201910201790755799 |
Show Difference | ||
| Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| End Date | Jan 1, 2021 | (none) |
| Description | Currently, same-sex couples can receive spousal coverage under the National Health Insurance Service | Currently, same-sex couples can receive spousal coverage under the National Health Insurance Service. Diplomatic same-sex marriages are also recognized. |
Show Difference | ||
| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only |
| Start Date | Oct 1, 2019 |
| End Date | Jan 1, 2021 |
| Description | Currently, same-sex couples can receive spousal coverage under the National Health Insurance Service |
| Sources | https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/10/26/south-korea-history-blue-house-new-zealand-gay-ambassador-husband-lgbt-rights/ https://www.npr.org/2023/02/21/1158475301/south-korea-same-sex-partner-government-health-insurance |