Blood, marriage and those left outside Korea’s family system

In South Korea, recognition as “family” can determine who is allowed to visit a hospital room, take care leave, remain in a shared home or make decisions in an emergency. For decades, this has largely been limited to spouses and blood relatives. But as more Koreans live alone or build households outside marriage and kinship, that definition is coming under renewed pressure. The debate, long driven by calls from the LGBTQ+ community for legal recognition of same-sex partners, is increasingly expanding into the broader question of care. How should society protect those who rely on unmarried partners, friends or housemates […]...

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