Couples to file for constitutional review of same-sex marriage ban

Filmmaker Kim Jho Gwang-soo, center left, and his partner Kim Sung-hwan, center right, speak at a press conference about legalizing same-sex marriage at Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul.

Filmmaker Kim Jho Gwang-soo, center left, and his partner Kim Sung-hwan, center right, speak at a press conference about legalizing same-sex marriage at Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul. Eleven same-sex couples will file for a constitutional review of the current law that bars same-sex marriage against the Seoul Family Court, four district courts in Seoul and the Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Court. The plaintiffs intend to bring the case directly to the Constitutional Court if the lower courts reject their request. The new suit marks the second of its kind demanding legalization of same-sex marriage in Korea. The couple previously filed an appeal when their report of marriage was dismissed in 2014, but the district and appeals court rejected it at the time. [NEWS1]

Filmmaker Kim Jho Gwang-soo, center left, and his partner Kim Sung-hwan, center right, speak at a press conference about legalizing same-sex marriage at Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul. Eleven same-sex couples will file for a constitutional review of the current law that bars same-sex marriage against the Seoul Family Court, four district courts in Seoul and the Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Court. The plaintiffs intend to bring the case directly to the Constitutional Court if the lower courts reject their request. The new suit marks the second of its kind demanding legalization of same-sex marriage in Korea. The couple previously filed an appeal when their report of marriage was dismissed in 2014, but the district and appeals court rejected it at the time.

Filmmaker Kim Jho Gwang-soo, far left, and his partner Kim Sung-hwan speak at a press conference about legalizing same-sex marriage at Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul. Eleven same-sex couples will file for a constitutional review of the current law that bars same-sex marriage against the Seoul Family Court, four district courts in Seoul and the Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Court. The plaintiffs intend to bring the case directly to the Constitutional Court if the lower courts reject their request. The new suit marks the second of its kind demanding legalization of same-sex marriage in Korea. The couple previously filed an appeal when their report of marriage was dismissed in 2014, but the district and appeals court rejected it at the time. [YONHAP]

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]