(LEAD) Supreme Court strikes down guilty verdicts of 2 soldiers convicted for homosexual intercourse

(ATTN: UPDATES with civic group reaction in para 7)

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down guilty verdicts for two male soldiers charged with engaging in homosexual intercourse at an off-base housing facility, saying the encounter was consensual and took place in a private space.

The two, a first lieutenant and a master sergeant, were charged with having sex during off-duty hours in 2016 in violation of Article 92-6 of the Military Criminal Act that calls for punishment of up to two years in prison for those who engage in "anal intercourse" or any other "indecent act."

The top court said "anal intercourse or similar sexual activities carried out under voluntary consent in a private space" cannot be seen as violating the military's culture and discipline and that the law should not be applied in such cases.

It also said the idea that homosexual activity arouses sexual humiliation or disgust among average people has become hard to accept by society's current standards.

The case was sent back to the military high court for a retrial.

The case was launched after the Army began a probe into sexual minorities inside the military using illegal methods in 2017. Some 10 soldiers were indicted following the investigation.

The Center for Military Human Rights Korea, a nongovernmental rights group, welcomed the Supreme Court ruling, saying it set "a new judicial precedent" by tackling issues of discrimination and privacy violation of sexual minorities head on.

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