SEOUL – The death of South Korea’s first known transgender soldier, who was fired last year for a gender reassignment operation, has sparked calls from advocacy groups and activists for better protection and recognition of transgender residents.
Byun Hui-su, 23, who was a staff sergeant before he was fired, was found dead by emergency officials at her home in the town of Cheongju, south of Seoul, on Wednesday.
“Byun’s death has resonated even more with the public because the military and this association have refused to acknowledge the change,” said Rainbow Action Against Sexual-Minority Discrimination of Korea, an umbrella organization of a group of 40 sexual minority groups. said in a statement.
The group’s courage to stand out has inspired and empowered others.
A woman who said she had been Byun’s friend since attending high school 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 service .
“She was destined to be a soldier. A military nerd, she was so knowledgeable about all military things, not just Korean troops, but also those in other countries, and worked so hard to start her service again,” ‘s Kim’s given due to privacy issues.
Kim said Byun was unemployed as all her applications had been rejected since she became public when the military fired her last year after she had surgery in Thailand.
Byun sued the military, saying she still hopes to continue her service, and the first trial is set for April.
“I want to show everyone that I too can be one of the great soldiers who protect this country,” Byun said in tears at the time when she described her decision to undergo surgery and the ensuing clash with the military.
An initial military remark that he was unable to say anything about the news of the death of a civilian quickly drew criticism on social media, and on Thursday a spokesman expressed official sympathy and Byun’s death ‘unfortunate ‘named.
However, the official said the army had not yet had a detailed discussion of its policy towards transgender soldiers.
The case sparked a debate in the LBGTQ community in South Korea over how transgender members of the military are treated in a country that requires all physical men to serve about two years.
Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun expressed sympathy when asked at a regular briefing on any plans for institutional changes regarding military service to transgender people, but said further discussions were needed.
The National Human Rights Commission honored Byun’s fight against deep-rooted discrimination and hatred in honor of efforts to improve the system.