The Gay Rights Movement in Democratizing Korea

• Published in: Korean studies Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 86 - 103
• Main Author: Bong, Youngshik D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Honolulu Center for Korean Studies University of Hawai'i 01-01-2008; University of Hawai'i Press; University of Hawaii Press
• Subjects: Associations; Authoritarianism; Civil rights; Civil Rights Movements; Culture; Democracy; Democratization; Education systems; Equal rights; Ethics; Female homosexuality; Gay communities; Gay liberation movement; Gay rights; Gay rights movements; Gays & lesbians; Gays and lesbians; Gender; Globalization; History; Homosexuality; Human Rights; Korean culture; Korean language; Korean Minorities in the Age of Globalization; Legal systems; LGBTQ rights movements; Males; Media; Military; Minority & ethnic groups; Motion pictures; National identity; Oppression; Political activism; Political aspects; Political movements; Politics; Population; Queer culture; Rape; Same sex marriage; Sexual assault; Sexual minorities; Sexuality; Social aspects; Society; South Korea; South Korea
• ISSN: 0145-840X; 1529-1529; 1529-1529
• DOI: 10.1353/ks.0.0013

The transition to democracy and the experience of globalization have transformed the ways Korea as a nation defines its national identity. Rising public attention and acceptance of human rights issues have resulted in discernable political changes in the areas of human rights, but sexual minorities are still left outside such positive developments. Building on the existing scholarly literature on gay rights in Korea, this article examines the problems of sexual minorities and their fight against them in the military, mass media, the educational system, and the courts. It also highlights the key points of contention and obstacles to underpinning the current state of sexual minorities and discusses the likely future trajectory of the gay rights movement in Korean society.