Military Mincing

South Korea: Statement on Gays in The Military

South Korea's defence ministry issued a statement this week addressing
the issue of the treatment of gay soldiers in the army. "The military will
treat homosexual soldiers the same as heterosexual ones," the ministry
said in a written statement distributed to news gathering groups.The
announcement comes after a series of unfair dismissal and bullying incidents
have been reported in South Korean press, becoming the subject of much
speculation and gossip.

The Seoul based news agency Yonhap requested an official policy statement
from the South Korean army, effectively bringing the debate out into the open.
Though the Ministry statement implies more grudging tolerance than outright
and welcome acceptance, it has been hailed by the Korean gay community as a
significant step in the right direction. South Korea's traditional patriarchal social
values, clearly represented by the army are not noted for their liberalism or
expansiveness. The statement will make particularly welcome reading to young
men anxious about their compulsory military service - 24 to 28 months of it,
depending on the military branch involved.