Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Defense: South Korea confirms 8 soldiers discharged from army for being gay

The South Korean army has confirmed that is discharged eight soldiers in 2005, for homosexuality. It is the first time the army has disclosed such figure.

Military service is compulsory for all South Korean men and officers consult fellow soldiers and seek diagnosis from doctors to determine whether someone is trying to evade service by claiming he is gay.

The Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, has condemned such discrimination and has called for changes to regulations banning gay men from duty.