SEOUL, July 18 (AJU PRESS) - The Supreme Court ruled that the government should provide spousal health insurance coverage for those in same-sex relationships.
The court, in a historic ruling, upheld in favor of the plaintiff, So Seong-wook, in his lawsuit against the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
In Korea, the person designated as the head of the household pays for health insurance bills for the entire family. So, who married his partner Kim Yong-min in 2019, was initially registered as Kim's insurance dependent. However, the NHIS demanded So pay a separate insurance fee, stating that he did not meet the requirements to be recognized as Kim's insurance dependent.
The court said that treating same-sex couples differently from heterosexual couples is a serious act of discrimination based on sexual orientation. "It is a discriminatory act that infringes on human dignity and values, the right to pursue happiness, the right to privacy, and the right to equality before the law, with a severe degree of infringement," it said.
Amnesty International called the ruling a historic victory for same-sex couples in Korea, where same-sex marriage is not recognized under law. "Today's ruling is a historic victory for equality and human rights in [Korea]. The court has taken a significant step towards dismantling systemic discrimination and ensuring inclusivity for all," Amnesty International's East Asia researcher Jang Bo-ram said in a statement.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
