Lawmakers in South Korea have proposed the country’s first same-sex marriage bill. In a move hailed by civic groups as a defining moment in the fight for equality.
The marriage equality bill, proposed by Jang Hye-yeong of the minor opposition Justice party and co-sponsored by 12 lawmakers across all the main parties. Thus seeks to amend the country’s civil code to include persons of the same sex in marriage.
The bill is unlikely to pass but forms part of a trio of bills expected to increase pressure on the government to expand the idea of family beyond traditional criteria. The two other bills relate to civil unions and IVF for unmarried women.
As, South Korea does not recognize civil same-sex partnerships.
Moreover, the constitution stipulates that marriage and family shall established “on the basis of individual dignity and equality of the sexes”.
This provision has usually regarded. As restricting marriage to the union of opposite-sex couples.
Wednesday’s announcement follows a landmark ruling in February that recognized the legal status of same-sex couples for the first time in terms of national health insurance.
LOW BIRTH RATE
As South Korea faces an impending demographic crisis. Also including a world-record low birthrate.
There have increased calls to redefine the concept of a family.
Thus, moves to broaden the definition to include cohabiting couples or single-member families were reversed under the current administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
South Korea’s potential, though unlikely, move towards marriage equality comes at a time when other countries in the region make advances.
Furthermore, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan have already extended marriage rights to same-sex couples.
In Japan on Tuesday, a court ruled that the ban on same-sex unions was unconstitutional.
Social consensus stated by politicians as the reasons for opposing equality laws, including same-sex marriage.
According to a Hankook Research survey, 52% of respondents opposed the idea of legislating same-sex marriage in South Korea.