Buoyed by the landmark US Supreme Court ruling a celebrity couple, Kim Jho Gwang-Soo (a rare openly gay celebrity) and his partner Kim Seung-Hwan, fought for legitimacy on Monday when they took their case to the district court in Seoul.

The couple are arguing that although they submitted their marriage registration to their local authority in 2013, it was rejected. Kim argued that "If you are a Korean citizen, you are equal under Korean law."

"I hope through this trial we can uncover this constitutional principle," Kim said, adding that he had pleaded with the court to "acknowledge our marriage before I die."

While homosexuality may not be illegal in the country, same-sex marriage is not recognized and LGBT people are victims of a deeply conservative society.

The lawsuit comes after Seoul's pride parade took place on June 28 and saw at least 6000 march in the South Korean capital.