Coming (Out) to Terms with Queerness in Korea: Language Matters

Abstract: This commentary critically examines the South Korean Ministry of Education’s decision to remove the terms sŏngsosuja (sexual minority) and sŏngp’yŏngdŭng (gender equality) from social studies and ethics textbooks revised in 2025. It argues that this exclusion hinders societal understanding and acceptance of sexual minorities by denying the use of crucial vernacular terminology. Specifically, sŏngsosuja is a linguistically accurate, culturally appropriate, and politically strategic term, emphasizing the marginalization and invisibility experienced by these groups within a broader framework of social justice and human rights. This commentary critically examines the prevalent use of anglicized queer terms in Korea, highlighting how uncritical adoption exacerbates communication barriers between queer and non-queer Koreans and undermines the cultural agency and ownership of Korean queer speakers. It calls for collaborative efforts between the National Institute of the Korean Language and queer community organizations to adopt, create, and disseminate culturally relevant and accessible Korean queer terminology.