South Korean court upholds ban on gay sex within armed forces
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reuters.com
South Korea's constitutional court on Thursday narrowly upheld a law banning same-sex relations within the armed forces, citing a possible risk to the military's combat readiness in a ruling criticised by activists as a setback for gay rights.
Under the country's military criminal act, members of the armed forces face up to two years in prison for same-sex relationships. The law has been referred to the court and upheld by it four times since 2002.
In Thursday's five-to-four ruling, the court said allowing same-sex relations could undermine discipline within the military and harm its combat capabilities.
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What an insult to the gay men who are willing to serve the country no matter what
Military service is not optional in South Korea.
That's the thing: most of them are not willingly there. Military service is compulsory for all able-bodied, South Korean men.