New Zealand’s gay ambassador to South Korea just made history by visiting Blue House with his husband
President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and his wife Kim Jung-sook, meet New Zealand ambassador Philip Turner and his husband Hiroshi Ikeda. (Philip Turner/ Twitter)
The gay New Zealand ambassador to South Korea has made history as the first foreign diplomat to visit Blue House with a same-sex partner.
Blue House is the official residence of President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and his wife Kim Jung-sook, and ambassador Philip Turner visited with his husband Hiroshi Ikeda to attend a reception for diplomats.
Turner posted pictures of the historic moment on Twitter, and wrote: “A great honour to meet President Moon and First Lady today with my husband Hiroshi.
“Thanks to President Moon first time this has been possible in Korea.”
A great honour to meet President Moon and First Lady today with my husband Hiroshi. Thanks to President Moon first time this has been possible in Korea. @moonriver365 @MOFAkr_eng @MFATgovtNZ #nzembassyseoul pic.twitter.com/10BCjacfmJ
— Philip Turner (@PTurnerNZ) October 18, 2019
According to Korean site Hankyoreh, an attorney for the Korean Network for Partnership and Marriage Rights of LGBT said the South Korean president’s acknowledgement of a same-sex spouse was “late in coming but welcome”.
However, while LGBT+ activists recognise the moment as progress, they said South Korean citizens are still waiting for protection from anti-LGBT+ discrimination.
Lee Jong-geol, executive committee director of Rainbow Action Against Sexual Minority Discrimination, voiced a collective frustration and told Hankyoreh: “There have been zero plans for concrete action to enact anti-discrimination legislation that would address the matters of hatred and discrimination faced by LGBT people.”
Candy, an executive committee member of Rainbow action, also said: “There will be more diplomats with same-sex partners.
“What is the standard for distinguishing between them and our own citizens?
“I believe that even this change starting in diplomacy is part of a clear direction in state policy, and I expect that to be reflected in domestic policies to come.”
While there is no longer a law criminalising gay sex for civilians in South Korea and LGBT+ people are becoming increasingly visible, soldiers can still be arrested for homosexuality and being gay is a huge taboo in the country.
Last month, a young, gay man in the country revealed the abuse he received because of his sexuality, including being fired and made homeless.
