NEW DELHI: South Korean Supreme Court said that the military should not punish consensual, same-sex sexual activities that took place in a nonmilitary setting.
In the landmark ruling, the court struck down guilty verdicts for two male soldiers who were indicted on a charge of having consensual sex while off their base, reports The New York Times.
Until now, soldiers who engaged in “anal intercourse or other indecent acts” had been punished and faced up to two years in prison — regardless of whether there was mutual consent or where the conduct took place.
Reaction: Rights groups have long condemned the law, saying it permitted a “witch hunt” against gay soldiers. On Thursday, they hailed the verdict, calling it “a major step forward” or “a huge victory” for L.G.B.T.Q. people in South Korea.
Background: Same-sex marriage is not recognized in South Korea. In recent years, powerful right-wing Christian groups have intensified a campaign against homosexuality, arguing that gay soldiers would spread AIDS and undermine the military’s readiness to fight North Korea.
