Entry #223: Serving openly in military in South Korea

Current Version

RegionSouth Korea
IssueServing openly in military
StatusIllegal
Start Date(unknown)
End Date(none)
DescriptionSame-sex intercourse is not illegal for civilians in South Korea, but it is between men in the military. Article 92-6 of the Military Criminal Act penalizes “indecent acts” in any military setting with up to two years in prison — and all able-bodied men must serve about two years in the military. No law criminalizes heterosexual intercourse in the South Korean military.

However, there are some signs that restrictions on LGBTQ service members may be easing: In 2022, the South Korean Supreme Court overturned the conviction of two soldiers for gay sex, and in 2021, a district court posthumously reinstated a transgender soldier who died by suicide after being dismissed from the army.
Sourceshttps://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/south-koreas-lgbtq-community-confronts-crushing-headwinds-fight-equali-rcna57777


👍 NEW: Helpful votes! You can now rate each edit as helpful or unhelpful. Votes add another layer of approval and are an easy way to say thank you to other editors. Helpful votes may become public in the future but unhelpful votes will always remain private.

Revision History (3)

edited by rainbowmit1. Corrected error

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value (Current)
Value(REMOVED)Illegal
Special StatusAmbiguousIllegal
DescriptionServing openly is possible, but legal difficulties and prosecution applies.Same-sex intercourse is not illegal for civilians in South Korea, but it is between men in the military. Article 92-6 of the Military Criminal Act penalizes “indecent acts” in any military setting with up to two years in prison — and all able-bodied men must serve about two years in the military. No law criminalizes heterosexual intercourse in the South Korean military.

However, there are some signs that restrictions on LGBTQ service members may be easing: In 2022, the South Korean Supreme Court overturned the conviction of two soldiers for gay sex, and in 2021, a district court posthumously reinstated a transgender soldier who died by suicide after being dismissed from the army.
Show Difference
Serving openly is possible, but legal difficulties and prosecution applies. Same-sex intercourse is not illegal for civilians in South Korea, but it is between men in the military. Article 92-6 of the Military Criminal Act penalizes “indecent acts” in any military setting with up to two years in prison — and all able-bodied men must serve about two years in the military. No law criminalizes heterosexual intercourse in the South Korean military. However, there are some signs that restrictions on LGBTQ service members may be easing: In 2022, the South Korean Supreme Court overturned the conviction of two soldiers for gay sex, and in 2021, a district court posthumously reinstated a transgender soldier who died by suicide after being dismissed from the army.
Sourceshttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/world/asia/south-korea-army-gay.htmlhttps://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/south-koreas-lgbtq-community-confronts-crushing-headwinds-fight-equali-rcna57777
Show Difference
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/world/asia/south-korea-army-gay.html https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/south-koreas-lgbtq-community-confronts-crushing-headwinds-fight-equali-rcna57777

edited by Meelis

Helpful?
0
Old Value (Original) New Value
ValueIllegal(REMOVED)
Special Status(REMOVED)Ambiguous
Start DateAug 15, 1945(unknown)
DescriptionArticle 92 of the South Korean Military Code provides punishment for gay men in the South Korean Military including dishonorable discharge.Serving openly is possible, but legal difficulties and prosecution applies.
Show Difference
Article 92 of the South Korean Military Code provides punishment for gay men in the South Korean Military including dishonorable discharge. Serving openly is possible, but legal difficulties and prosecution applies.
Sourceshttp://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/09/117_67179.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/world/asia/south-korea-army-gay.html
Show Difference
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/09/117_67179.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/world/asia/south-korea-army-gay.html
Reports (1)
  • Status is not correct "In 2017, there was a search and punishment for homosexuals against their will in the military."

created by bradcoffey106

Helpful?
0
Original entry
StatusIllegal
Start DateAug 15, 1945
End Date(none)
DescriptionArticle 92 of the South Korean Military Code provides punishment for gay men in the South Korean Military including dishonorable discharge.
Sourceshttp://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/09/117_67179.html
Reports (2)
  • Newer law has been passed "South Korea recently overruled that law"
  • Note field is incorrect "All Korean men, regardless of their sexual orientation, are required to be conscripted and serve in the military. Indicating that you’re a homosexual will not get you out of it, nor would it be punishable. However, any sexual act between the military members (who are usually men, therefore often same-sex) are illegal and punishable "