South Korea's highest court ruled it was discrimination for state health insurers to treat same-sex couples differently from their heterosexual counterparts, in a verdict that activists said could pave the way for the eventual legalisation of same-sex unions in the country.
The Korean Supreme Court ruled that it was discrimination based on sexual orientation to exclude the couple just because they are same-sex. The court ruled that the health service decision to not recognize same-sex partners who have formed an economic community of life similar to a married couple as dependents is unlawful.
The verdict, which cannot be appealed, means common-law spouses of the same sex can now register as dependents on their partners' state health insurance, something long permitted for heterosexual common-law partners.
While South Korea does not recognise same-sex marriages, gay relationships are not criminalised. This ruling ultimately paves the way for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in South Korea, following the lead of other Asian countries like Taiwan and Thailand.
It's time South Korea!!!
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