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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo

South Korean court recognises legal status of same-sex couples for first time

So-Sung-uk and Kim Yong-min celebrate after a court rules same-sex couples are entitled to the same coverage from the national health insurance program as heterosexual couples.
So-Sung-uk and Kim Yong-min celebrate after a court in South Korea ruled same-sex couples were entitled to the same coverage from the national health insurance program as heterosexual couples. Photograph: Yonhap/EPA

A court in South Korea has ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to the same spousal coverage under the national health insurance service as heterosexual couples – the first time the country has recognised the legal status of a gay partner.

Tuesday’s landmark decision by the Seoul high court overturned a previous ruling by a lower court in January 2022 that rejected a gay couple’s petition after one partner was told he had to make separate health insurance payments.

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