South Korea: Supreme Court recognises new rights for same-sex couples in historic ruling - Video

South Korea's Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to the same health insurance benefits as heterosexual couples in a landmark verdict on Thursday, July 18.

The ruling is the culmination of a legal battle between a gay couple, So Seong-wook and Kim Yong Min, and the National Health Insurance Service. The conflict began when the insurance agency revoked So's registration as a dependent of Kim, which led So to file an administrative suit.

The country's highest court declared that the state health insurance agency's refusal to provide spousal insurance coverage for gay couples was discriminatory. This act of discrimination, the court ruled, violates the constitutional principle of equality.

The decision, which is final and cannot be appealed has been celebrated by human rights groups fighting for equal rights for same-sex couples in South Korea.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling So expressed his hope for the future. "I hope that this verdict will become a stepping stone to achieving marriage equality so that people can use the marriage system equally," he said.