South Korea’s Supreme Court has ruled in favor of same-sex couples receiving spousal health insurance benefits, marking a historic step for LGBTQIA+ rights in the country. The ruling allows same-sex partners to qualify as dependents under national health insurance but does not equate to full legal recognition of same-sex marriages.
The court deemed that denying spousal insurance based on sexual orientation was discriminatory. Amnesty International’s Boram Jang lauded the decision as a significant human rights victory, though she noted the ongoing legal struggles for same-sex couples.
The lawsuit was filed by Kim Yong-min and So Seong-wook after the National Health Insurance Service revoked their benefits following media attention. South Korean public support for same-sex marriage remains relatively low, with a Pew Research survey showing 41% in favor. So Seong-wook celebrated the ruling, saying, “Love has won again.”
