PROS

Lee Jong-heon, Chingusai(Korean Gaymen’s Human Rights Group)
The situation for homosexuality is like a wasteland in Korea. The issue of legalizing same-sexe marriage is closely related to “family constituent rights.” Korea’s ideology is full of heterosexism. However, many different kinds of families are appearing. The new concept of marriage called *bi-hon* includes not only same-sex marriage, but also cohabitation and marriage between disabled. This *bi-hon* has increased by 59% from 1995 to 2005 and even though our society is changing rapidly, the social system is not far behind.
In the Republic of South Africa the same-sex marriage was legalized for there was no reason to forbid it from society. Also, no one asks the cause or why you love someone of the opposite sex, it is natural. Also children from same-sex parents are actually adjusting well to society. In Canada there was a public hearing from children who are from same-sex parents. They said they are perfectly normal and getting along well. 
The legalizing of same-sex marriage is the problem of “existence” for homosexual. The right to marry someone of the same-sex should not be “inserted” in the preexisting systems; rather it should be “reconstructed” and “changed.”

Oh Ji-won (Fresh., University College, Business)
According to other countries’ ancient documentary records, homosexuality was a normal thing in the high class. Also, at the end of *Joseon* Dynasty where realism had a lot of influence on society, there was literary work that shows homosexuality. It was written by a prominent realist Park Ji-won. However, “being different” is a problem in today’s society. There is a social prejudice for minorities in our country. Our society only sees black-and-white. However, not everything in the world fits into two categories. Nobody is a perfect heterosexual. I think homosexuality is a natural characteristic just like heterosexuality. Laws restricting same-sex marriage is against the right to pursue one’s happiness. Laws are supposed to protect human rights, not infringe upon them.

Seo Hyung-suk(Vivian) (Soph., Dept. of Library & Info. Science)
Most people think same-sex marriage is a crime, but I believe the opposite. I think that we should respect it and let them be. We live in a world of freedom, in a world where we have our rights to do the things we want to do. However, if we discriminate against people who do things differently from us, such as homosexuality, we are neglecting the thought of the basic right of all people.
I had a guy friend who was very feminine when I was in high school. It was weird at first and I felt awkward to have a friend like that. However, as time passed by, I found out he had no bad intentions about being feminine. He was just a little different from other guys and had different interests. This kind of experience made me learn that some people are same as us but have different perspective on life. Our society should also try to accept them as I did.
I’m not saying that we all should change our minds and say yes now about same-sex marriage. All I want to say is to think about it more deeply. I think that we should give them freedom to do whatever they want to do just the way we want to be respected and treated.

CONS

Jang Heon-il, (General-Secretary., Korea National Prayer Breakfast and Prof., Myongji Univ., Blocking Homosexual Law Assembly Missionary Ministry Union Director)
Legalizing the same-sex marriage was unacceptable from the beginning, as it is written in the bible. In Corinthians, Romans and Leviticus there are stories forbidding homosexuality. In Leviticus, God destroyed people who were having homosexual relationship.
In fact, homosexuality can be “cured.” One of them I know is the minister Lee Jonah, who was formally a homosexual but got cured and now is heterosexual. Legalizing the same-sex marriage will discourage people who are trying to get “cured” from homosexuality. People should not treat homosexuals like a sinner, but with sympathy. Our society is suffering from low birth rate. If marriage between homosexuals is legalized, the rate will fall drastically. Last but not least, according to statistics more than 70% of AIDS comes from homosexual relationships. For these reasons, homosexual marriage should not be legalized.

Kim Yeun-yoon (Soph., Dept. of Pre-Med)
Wanting to marry someone you love is natural. However, marriage is not just decided by the two people getting married. There needs to be an agreement between families and friends. In this kind of condition, legalizing the marriage between same-sexes will be difficult since it is considered abnormal in the society. Even if homosexuals get married, it would be impossible to have a socially normal life.
Moreover, in our society having children and raising them is an important feature. However, homosexuals will not be able to have their own children unless they adopt children. Adopting children will cause a more serious problem. From the children’s point of view, it would be hard to accept homosexual parents. I wonder if that kind of family can be sustainable. The issue of legalizing the marriage of same-sexes is a problem to think of after our society becomes more open-minded about diversities in family structures.

Kim Yeong-myeong (Soph., Dept. of History)
There are different views about the ratio of homosexuals in Korea. According to statistic, about three to five percent of people in one country’s population are homosexuals. However, because of the conservative atmosphere of Korea the percentage is not precise. For this reason, scholars say that at least 10% to 15% of the population is homosexuals in Korea. Not all of these homosexuals are getting married. However, if homosexual men get married, it may decrease birth rate in Korea. The most important factor in family is “reproducing social members.” Same-sex marriage is not able to serve this important factor.
 Not only that, even though the prejudices have disappeared compared to the past, homosexuality is still considered negative. As a result, if same-sex marriage is legalized there would be serious movements to stop this. Moreover, children who are from homosexual parents will face a lot of difficulties. They will be criticized and ostracized at school which can be emotionally painful. Concerning all the problems that same-sex marriage will bring, it is not right to legalize this marriage.