South Korea’s top court recognizes some rights for same-sex couples.

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s Top Court ruled Thursday that same-sex couples are eligible to receive the same health insurance benefits as heterosexual couples, a landmark verdict hailed by human rights groups.

The Supreme Court said it ruled that the state health insurance agency’s refusal to provide spousal insurance coverage for gay couples was an act of discrimination that violates the constitutional principle of equality.

Public views on gender issues in South Korea have gradually changed in recent years, but critics say the Asian country still has a long way to go compared with other developed countries. South Korea doesn’t legally recognize same-sex marriages.

In 2022, The Seoul Administrative Court ruled of the insurance agency. But in February 2023, The Seoul High Court overturned the saying that denying So’s spousal coverage rights without reasonable grounds was discriminatory because such benefits are given to heterosexual spouses.

South Korea’s Top Court ruled on July 18 that same -sex couples are eligible, a landmark verdict hailed by human rights groups.