The South Korean government said it would immediately revise a youth counseling manual that classified homosexuality as a form of juvenile delinquency.
The manual, published by the Korea Youth Counseling & Welfare Institute, listed homosexuality alongside sexual violence, theft and drug-related problems in a category for delinquency-related issues.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family expressed regret over the classification in a statement announcing the revision late Wednesday.
“We regret that the classification of content concerning sexual minorities as a type of delinquency-related problem in the manual has caused discomfort and concern to sexual minority youth and those involved,” the ministry said.
The manual guides counselors who visit at-risk young people and connect them with counseling, welfare, healthcare and education services. The institute is affiliated with the ministry.
The classification drew criticism after it was reported by Korean media earlier this week.
The ministry said it would immediately correct the passage and consult counseling experts on broader revisions to ensure the manual meets the needs of those working in the field. It also pledged to strengthen human rights training for youth counselors.
In its statement, the ministry pointed to an August revision of a separate human rights protection manual for staff at youth shelters.
That revision explicitly prohibited shelters from refusing admission or otherwise disadvantaging young people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The ministry said it had gathered feedback from LGBTQ+ support organizations and others working in the field before making the changes.
The revised shelter manual also required staff to document the grounds for restricting admission or deciding that a young person must leave, ensuring that such decisions had not been influenced by personal characteristics.
It instructed counselors to rely on objective information rather than their own values. When residents have difficulty adjusting to shelter life, staff should first consider counseling, mediation and improvements to living conditions before requiring them to leave.
The ministry said it would continue reviewing its guidelines and training with input from experts and front-line workers so that all young people can receive counseling and protection free of discrimination.
Source: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10927087
