Kim Kyong-hwan
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Kim Kyong-hwan (Korean language:김경환, 1980 - ) is a conscientious objector and homosexual human rights activist.[1] He is a political refugee recognized by South Korean and Canadian authorities.[2] In 2006, he was exposed to gross violations of human rights and abuse in the South Korean Army, three years after his asylum application was accepted.[3] Kim was a political exile who fled oppression and human rights suppression in South Korea and sought asylum in Canada.[1]
He was born in Seoul. As an elementary school student, he became aware of his sexual identity,[1] which made him apprehensive about the South Korean government's imposition of mandatory military service on South Korean males.[4] He was studying at a private university in Seoul, but left school to pursue political asylum.[4] This was due to the lack of recognition for conscientious objection, discrimination against homosexuals and homophobia, and serious abuse in the military.[4] His reason for asylum was that the South Korean government rejected the protection of his human rights and that the South Korean army did not protect homosexuals and abused them.[5]
In June 2006, he flew to Toronto airport in Canada and applied for asylum. On July 6, 2009, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada approved his application.[6] The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada announced the decision, citing the South Korean army's homophobic actions and abuse, and punishment of conscientious objectors.[7] Afterward, Kim was granted permanent residence in Canada.[8] Citing an expert in Korean history and society, the ruling stated: “He [the expert] indicates that homophobic attitudes within the military are still given ‘official status’ since it is viewed in the society as a ‘sin against God.’ It is still considered a mental illness. ... If a homosexual is expelled due to his sexual identity, he probably cannot enter into the public sphere such as employment or schools.[9]”
Leverage
After his refugee status was granted, some South Korean NGOs sought public opinion regarding the South Korean army's human rights abuses and violations. Also, two South Korean gay men left South Korea, going to Germany and Australia to seek exile. A second refugee applicant, Kim In-su, a transgender person, had their asylum application approved in Australia.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 [Special report] Fleeing discrimination at home, S. Koreans seek asylum abroad Nov.7,2013 The Hangyeorye
- ↑ Gay South Korean finds peaceful refuge in Canada Jan. 2, 2012. The Starnews
- ↑ Gay Korean gets refugee status in Canada 2011.12.15. koreatimes
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 ‘동성애 병역거부자’ 첫 망명… 국제문제 비화 The Dongah ilbo 2011.12.16. (in Korean)
- ↑ 동성애 병역거부자 캐나다 망명 the obsnews 2011.12.15. (in Korean)
- ↑ [인터넷 광장] 병역 거부 동성애자 캐나다로 망명 外
- ↑ 동성애 병역거부 20대, 캐나다 망명 노컷뉴스 2011.12.15. (in Korean)
- ↑ 동성애 병역거부자 첫 망명 The Seoul papers 2011-12-16(in Korean)
- ↑ Canada gives asylum to gay Korean Dec 16,2011. koreajoongangdaily
Site link
- Gay South Korean finds peaceful refuge in Canada Jan. 2, 2012. The Starnews
- Gay Korean gets refugee status in Canada 2011.12.15. the koreatimes
- [Special report] Fleeing discrimination at home, S. Koreans seek asylum abroad Nov.7,2013 The Hangyeorye
- Canada gives asylum to gay Korean Dec 16,2011. koreajoongangdaily
- S Korean gay granted refugee status in Canada 2011.12.15. chinadaily
- 그가 왜 조국 버리고 캐나다로 망명했느냐고? The Omynews 2011.12.17. (in Korean)
- [월요 칼럼] 21세기 대한민국에 망명이라니 강원도민일보 2011.12.19. (in Korean)
- 동성애 병역거부자 캐나다에 첫 망명 (in Korean)
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