South Korea upholds controversial military ‘sodomy law’ for fourth time

Court upholds law against ‘indecent acts’ between military personnel, as well as law criminalising HIV transmission

South Korea’s constitutional court has upheld two anti-LGBTQ+ laws including the country’s notorious military “sodomy law” for the fourth time, in a ruling that activists are calling a setback for equality rights.

The court, in a five-to-four vote, ruled that article 92-6 of the military criminal act, which prescribes a maximum prison term of two years for “anal intercourse” and “any other indecent acts” between military personnel, even while on leave and consensual, was constitutional in response to several petitions made challenging the law.