Byun Hee-soo
변희수
Hee-so in 2021
Born(1998-06-11)11 June 1998
Cheongju, South Korea
Diedbetween February 28 and March 3, 2021 (aged 22)
Cheongju, South Korea
Burial placeCheongju, South Korea
NationalitySouth Korean
Occupation(s)Soldier, activist
Years active2016–2021[1]

Byun Hee-soo (June 11, 1998 – between February 28 and March 3, 2021) was the first known transgender soldier in South Korea.[2][3]

She had risen to the rank of staff sergeant and was a tank driver before being discharged from the army in January 2020 after she underwent gender reassignment surgery in Thailand in November 2019. She had fought for the right to continue serving in the army, but was denied and discharged. The army subsequently denied her request for reinstatement in July 2020.[4][5]

Speaking about her decision to undergo surgery, she stated, "I thought I would finish serving in the army and then go through the transition surgery and then reenter the army as a female soldier. But my depression got too severe. I want to show everyone that I can also be one of the great soldiers who protect this country."[5]

In March 2021, she was found dead in her home. Workers from Sangdanggu National Mental Health Center (where Byun received treatment) called for someone to check up on her as they hadn't been able to reach her since February 28. The fire department arrived at Ms Byun's house on March 3, and found her body at 5:49 pm KST. Her body had already started to decompose.[6][7]

In October 2021, South Korean court ruled that the military discharge was unlawful and cancelled the discharge.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "S Korean court: Discharge of late transgender soldier unjust". Associated Press. 7 October 2021.
  2. ↑ "South Korea's first known transgender soldier found dead – Pacific – Stripes". Stars and Stripes. 3 March 2021. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  3. ↑ Victoria Kim (22 January 2020). "South Korea orders dismissal of transgender soldier". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  4. ↑ Sangmi Cha, Hyonhee Shin (20 January 2020). "'I will continue to fight': South Korea's first transgender soldier vows to oppose dismissal". Reuters. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  5. 1 2 "'I will continue to fight': South Korea's first transgender soldier vows to oppose dismissal". Japan Times. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  6. ↑ The Associated Press (3 March 2021). "South Korea's first known transgender soldier found dead". ABC News. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  7. ↑ Muri Assunção (3 March 2021). "South Korea's first trans soldier found dead at 23". New York Daily News. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
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