SEOUL – The death of South Korea’s first known transgender soldier, who was discharged last year for undergoing gender reassignment surgery, sparked calls from advocacy groups and activists for better protection and recognition for transgender residents.
Byun Hui-su, 23, who was a sergeant before being discharged, was found dead by emergency officials at her home in the city of Cheongju, south of Seoul, on Wednesday.
“Byun’s death resonated even more with the public because the military and this society refused to acknowledge the change,” Rainbow Action Against Sexual-Minority Discrimination of Korea, an umbrella association of a group of 40, said in a statement. sexual minority groups.
Byun’s bravery in performing has inspired and empowered others, the group said.
A woman who said she was friends with Byun since they studied together at a military college seven years ago, told Reuters that February 28 would have been Byun’s last day in the military if she had been allowed to remain in the service.
“She was destined to be a soldier. A military nerd, she knew all things military very well, not just Korean troops, but those from other countries, and worked so hard to restart her service,” said Kim, requesting only that his surname was given due to privacy concerns.
Kim said Byun was unemployed because all of her requests had been rejected since she went public when the military dismissed her last year after making the operation in Thailand.
Byun sued the army, saying he still hoped to continue his service, and the first hearing was scheduled for April.
“I want to show everyone that I can also be one of the great soldiers who protect this country,” said Byun at the time, bursting into tears as he described his decision to undergo surgery and the subsequent confrontation with the military.
An initial military comment that he was in no position to say anything about “the news of the death of a civilian” drew swift criticism on social media, and on Thursday, a spokesman offered official condolences, calling Byun’s death “unfortunate”.
The official said, however, that the military had not yet discussed their policies in detail with regard to transsexual soldiers.
The case sparked a debate in South Korea’s LBGTQ community about how transgender members of the armed forces are treated in a country that requires all fit men to serve for about two years.
Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun offered condolences when asked at a regular briefing about any plans for institutional changes in relation to military service for transgender people, but said more discussions were needed.
The National Human Rights Commission issued a statement honoring Byun’s “fight against deep-seated discrimination and hatred” and promising efforts to improve the system.