THE KUKMIN DAILY

Church circles and civic organizations are taking a strong stance in response to Kim-Cho Gwang-su (50)’s litigation to legalize same-sex marriage registration. This move is based on their diagnosis that this case is much more serious than that of anti-discrimination legislation, because it could lead up to legalizing same-sex marriage if Kim-Cho wins.

In September 2013, Kim-Cho married Kim Seung-hwan (31), and submitted documents for the registration of their marriage at their Seodaemun-gu District Office of residence. The District Office, however, notified the couple the following December that it could not register their marriage, for the reason that “The current legal system of the Republic of Korea, including the Constitution and Civil Law, does not recognize same-sex marriage.”

In protest against the disposition, Mr. Kim-Cho organized an attorneys group and submitted to Seoul Western District Court an appeal against the non-acceptance of his marriage registration. On July 6, Mr. Kim-Cho appeared at the interrogation session and declared, “Love is enough to qualify for love. All citizens are equal before the law.” Different from other legal cases, a decision by a court chief goes into effect immediately in family-related non-litigation cases, as soon as the party concerned is notified.

Some church and civic organizations are demonstrating a firm stance against possible acceptance of same-sex marriage. 16 organizations, including the School Parents to Save Public Education, Mothers for True Education, National School Parents Coalition, and Good Teachers Council, held a rally against same-sex marriage (photo) in front of the Seoul Western District Court on July 21. In addition, through public announcements and petitions, these church and civic organizations and even an attorneys’ group expressed concerns and worries about any legal move before the Constitution is amended.

Lawyer Cho Yeong-gil (Law Firm I & S) commented, “If the court legalizes same-sex marriage ahead of constitutional amendment, it will severely damage the right to choose of the citizens, who have the right to legislate the Constitution… I’m sure the Court Chief will not make any decision allowing same-sex marriage, if the verdict holds true to the Constitution, to previous rulings by the Supreme Court, and to the judge’s consciousness.”

Reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by intern reporter Jun Ho-Kwang


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