“(Related to the LGBTs,) Korea cannot but change and will change. Do not lose your faith in change and pluck up your courage. The United States changed even later than the Netherlands. Korea can go forward towards change in a calm and orderly way.”
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg, justice of Supreme Court of the United States
Justice Ginsberg and Kim Jho Kwangsoo couple. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — Visiting Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the Supreme Court of the United States spent a special evening with Korean LGBTs including Kim Jho Gwangsoo (film director) and Harisu (transgender entertainer) on August 4.
Justice Ginsberg invited them to dinner at a residence on the US military base in Yongsan, Seoul. The food was prepared and served by the first openly gay Korean comedian-chef, Hong Seok-cheon.
As an active advocate for sexual minorities, Ginsberg explained the process to make same-sex marriage constitutional in the United States, and gave attendees hope for change in Korea.
Kim Jho Gwangsoo held a public wedding with Kim Seung-hwan in 2013, and filed a lawsuit against the Korean government when their marriage registration was denied.
During their meeting, Ginsberg gave a message to sexual minority communities not to be in despair, and have a hope for change.
On the following day, Justice Ginsberg held a lecture on the protection and human rights of minority communities at the Supreme Court of Korea along with Kim So-young, a justice of the Supreme Court of Korea.
By John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
