‘생활동반자법’ 20년째 길 잃어…동성혼·저출생 부수 쟁점 취급”

The ‘Life Companion’ law, which has been under discussion for 20 years, is often only considered as a side issue related to same-sex marriage and measures to address low birth rates, leading to criticism over the slow progress toward legislation. The law has not even received a hearing by the specialized committee within the National Assembly.

According to a report by the Korean Institute for Criminal and Judicial Policy Research, discussions on the ‘Life Companion’ law have been ongoing since 2005 following various channels, including petitions, campaign promises, basic plans, recommendations, and law proposals. However, the law has still not been passed. The report points out that the design limitations of the National Assembly-approved bill hinder its progress.

The ‘Life Companion’ relationship refers to a relationship between two adults who are not related by blood or marriage who mutually agree to share life and care for each other. The report emphasizes that this relationship, if legally recognized, would provide a necessary connection for individuals who, in a society where single-parent and unmarried households are becoming common, may find themselves legally separated from the person they care for in their later years.

The report argues that the ‘Life Companion’ law would serve as the most direct means of correcting the gaps in individual recognition and protection within the family law system. However, the ‘Life Companion’ law is viewed as a peripheral issue in the ongoing debate over same-sex marriage, and as a result, it has been relegated to a committee without receiving any consideration.

The National Assembly and government have also shown little interest in the ‘Life Companion’ law. The report notes that neither the major parties nor the minorities in the National Assembly have shown any interest in the issue, and the small parties' representatives who have introduced the bill have failed to gain support from other party members.

The Ministry of Justice, responsible for the law, has not taken any proactive measures. The report also notes that the ‘Life Companion’ law has been treated as a means to address low birth rates within the framework of family law, which has resulted in a lack of justification for its existence. The current legislation only recognizes a 2-person ‘marriage’ model, similar to the current system, and fails to adequately address the needs of individuals who form long-term living arrangements with more than two people or those who have separate relationships in different areas of life.