Korean Lesbian Couple "8 Months Pregnant... Received Sperm Donation in Belgium"

"Feeling Happiness at Home Leads to Decision to Get Pregnant"

Kim Gyu-jin, the author of the 2019 essay "Unni, Will You Marry Me?" and who became legally married to her same-sex partner in New York, USA, has announced her pregnancy.

On the 30th of last month, Kim Gyu-jin wrote on her SNS, "It has been four years since I introduced myself as a Korean national married lesbian," and added, "I will soon add one more word. I am eight months pregnant." This is the first case in Korea where a same-sex couple's pregnancy has been publicly disclosed.

Photo by Kim Gyu-jin, Instagram

Kim Gyu-jin and her spouse Kim Se-yeon registered their marriage in New York, USA, in May 2019, and held their wedding ceremony in Korea in November of the same year.

According to an exclusive interview with Hankyoreh, the couple underwent artificial insemination using donated sperm at an infertility clinic in Belgium.

Kim Gyu-jin was currently residing in France but received the procedure in nearby Belgium due to difficulties in obtaining sperm.

They also considered undergoing the procedure in Korea, but gave up due to regulations that allow sperm donation only to legally married or de facto heterosexual couples.

Kim Gyu-jin said, "I originally did not plan to have children," adding, "I think it would have been the same even if I were heterosexual. Being a good parent is not easy."

However, the most decisive reason for Kim Gyu-jin's decision to become pregnant was the happiness she felt in her current family. She said, "I thought unhappiness should end with my generation, but I feel happiness in the family I have chosen now. Since I am happy, I thought my child could be happy too," and added, "And above all, I thought my unni would be a better mother than I am."

The couple plans to enter a postpartum care center and take care of their health after childbirth. Kim Gyu-jin also shared the news that she will be taking maternity leave. However, since they are not legally married in Korea, they cannot receive legal protection or benefits as a couple or parents.

On the afternoon of the 1st, Kim, a representative of Amnesty International Korea, the backpack couple, and the 8-month pregnant couple Kim Gyu-jin and Kim Se-yeon, who participated in the 24th Seoul Queer Culture Festival, marched from the Euljiro area of Seoul to Samilgyo Bridge over Cheonggyecheon Stream, promoting the "Just Marriage" campaign advocating for marriage equality in Korea. Photo by Amnesty International Korea Branch [Image source=Yonhap News]

The couple stated that they will work to change the world during a "grace period" until their child enters elementary school. They also mentioned that if their child is bullied for "not having a dad," they are willing to consider immigration.

Kim Se-jin expressed concern, saying, "I worry about the child's future," and towards those who utter harsh criticisms, she said, "I want to hold their hands and say, 'Then you should help,'" hoping, "If they help, a better society can be formed more quickly."

The couple also participated in the "2023 24th Seoul Queer Parade" march held in the Euljiro area of Seoul on the 1st.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.