South Korean transgender soldier to take legal action over dismissal

This appeared in The Millennial Source

South Korea’s first transgender soldier will reportedly be suing the country’s military over her dismissal from the army. The 22-year-old Byun Hui-soo was enlisted in the South Korean army as a man, but underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2019.

“I will continue to fight until the day I can remain to serve in the army. I’ll challenge the decision until the end, to the Supreme Court,” she said during an emotional appearance in front of the media. Byun was a staff sergeant and was stationed in Gyeonggi Province north of Seoul, the nation’s capital.

Mental struggle

Byun has reportedly suffered from gender dysphoria and mental health issues during army service. “I thought I would finish serving in the army and then go through the transition surgery and then re-enter the army as a female soldier. But my depression got too severe,” she added.

She had a gender reassignment operation in Thailand last year while on leave, and was hoping to continue serving the country in the female corps division.

Speaking at a press conference in Seoul on January 22, Byun expressed her determination to show everyone that her gender identity does not…