The New York Times referred to a ruling by a high court in Korea, which recognized the same-sex couples' spousal coverage in the national health insurance service, as a "welcomed victory."
The daily said on Feb. 22, "Protections have been secured for people with disabilities, women and older people (in Korea). The judicial system has also recognized some gay rights, as it did in the landmark decision announced on Tuesday."
"More people are coming out publicly. More same-sex couples are holding commitment ceremonies and inviting their families. Korean dramas are featuring more queer actors. Pop idols have voiced support for the L.G.B.T.Q. community on a global stage," the paper added.
Prior to the report, the Seoul High Court ruled on Feb. 21 in favor of the plaintiffs, a same-sex couple, who filed a suit against the National Health Insurance Service, demanding spousal coverage from the domestic health insurance program.
In its ruling on the lawsuit filed by the couple, who married five years ago, the court said, "Rights and responsibilities of a same-sex partnership and a common-law marriage are essentially the same."
The reasoning behind the ruling stated that both heterosexual and homosexual relationships share the same fundamental characteristics, thus discrimination in health insurance service should not be allowed.
This is the first domestic court ruling acknowledging a same-sex partnership's health rights, which are the same as that of a heterosexual married couple. A lower court's decision last year was in favor of the defendant, saying, "In the absence of legislation, interpretation alone cannot extend the meaning of marriage to a same-sex partnership."
However, the high court did not legally recognize a de facto marriage between a same-sex couple, as marriage is legally a relationship between a man and a woman, preventing an expanded interpretation of the ruling. In the written judgment, the term "same-sex partnership" was used instead of "same-sex married couple" or "same-sex de facto spouse."
