Will Sergeant Byeon Hee-soo, a transgender soldier, become the next Pi Woo-jin?

Corporal Byeon Hee-soo, who was forcibly discharged after undergoing gender reassignment surgery [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Sergeant Byeon Hee-soo, who underwent gender reassignment surgery overseas during military service, has been notified of forced discharge and has announced plans for legal battles including administrative lawsuits. Meanwhile, the forced retirement case of Lieutenant Colonel Pi Woo-jin, a retired Army officer and former head of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, is drawing renewed attention.

On the 22nd, Sergeant Byeon held a press conference at the Military Human Rights Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, stating, "I want to remain a soldier protecting the country at the front lines. I will fight to the end until the day I return to the Army." Currently, Sergeant Byeon and the Military Human Rights Center are reviewing filing a personnel appeal and initiating an administrative lawsuit against the military, citing gender discrimination and clear human rights violations.

On the 23rd, Lim Tae-hoon, director of the Military Human Rights Center, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' and mentioned Lieutenant Colonel Pi Woo-jin. During her military service, Lt. Col. Pi battled breast cancer and overcame the illness but was forcibly retired in November 2006 after being classified as disabled. She filed a personnel appeal against the Ministry of National Defense, which was rejected, then filed an administrative lawsuit and won, returning to the military in May 2008.

Director Lim said, "Didn't Lt. Col. Pi also return through the courts? I think today marks the beginning of a long journey," adding, "I hope Sergeant Byeon endures well until the day she returns without being deeply hurt in this process."