Byun Hui-su
Byun Hui-su | |
|---|---|
| 변희수 | |
 Hui-su in 2021 | |
| Born | 11 June 1998 Cheongju, South Korea |
| Died | 27 February 2021 (aged 22) Cheongju, South Korea |
| Burial place | Cheongju, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Occupation(s) | Soldier, activist |
| Years active | 2016–2021[1] |
Byun Hui-su (June 11, 1998 – February 27, 2021[2]) was the first known transgender soldier in South Korea.[3][4]
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.[5][6]
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."[6]
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.[7][8]
In October 2021, South Korean court ruled that the military discharge was unlawful and cancelled the discharge.[1] Ministry of National Defense did not appeal the decision.[9] In April 2024, Ministry of Defense's Central Committee for Examination of Killed or Wounded in Action and Death or Injury in the Line of Duty decided to acknowledge that Byun died as a soldier on the line of duty, thus paved way to the possibility of Byun’s burial in a national cemetery.[10] The appeals committee found that she died of a depression caused by discharge, and decided there was a probable cause in relation to official duties. This overturned Army General Committee for Examination of Killed or Wounded in Action and Death or Injury in the Line of Duty's December 2020 decision which determined her death was not related to the discharge.[11]
See also[edit]
- LGBT history in South Korea
- LGBT rights in South Korea
- Sexual orientation and gender identity in the South Korean military
- Transgender personnel in the South Korean military
References[edit]
- ^ a b "S Korean court: Discharge of late transgender soldier unjust". Associated Press. 7 October 2021.
- ^ Hong, Eui-pyo (25 April 2022). "군 사망사고 진상규명위 "故 변희수 하사, '순직'으로 심사해야"" [Byun Hui-su staff sergeant should be determined death in line of duty, decided by Truth Commission on Deaths in the Military] (in Korean). Retrieved 4 June 2024.
위원회는 경찰 수사결과와 법의학 감정, 시신 검안의에 대한 조사 등을 바탕으로 변 하사의 사망시점을 확인한 결과 부사관 의무 복무 만료일 이전인 작년 2월 27일 사망한 것으로 결론 (Commission determined she was dead on Feb 27 last year (2021), based on the police investigation result, medocolegal reports, and interview with examining doctor.)
- ^ "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.
- ^ Victoria Kim (22 January 2020). "South Korea orders dismissal of transgender soldier". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "'I will continue to fight': South Korea's first transgender soldier vows to oppose dismissal". The Japan Times. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ The Associated Press (3 March 2021). "South Korea's first known transgender soldier found dead". ABC News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ Muri Assunção (3 March 2021). "South Korea's first trans soldier found dead at 23". New York Daily News. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ Kim, So-yeong (27 October 2021). "故변희수 전 하사 '부당 전역' 판결 확정…軍, 항소 포기" [Late Byun-huisu 'unlawfully discharged' judgment became final... Army did not appeal]. Donga (in Korean). Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Panel recognizes late transgender soldier as dying on-duty death". The Korea Times. 3 March 2021.
- ^ Shin, Hyung-chul (4 April 2024). "국방부, '성전환 뒤 강제전역' 변희수 하사 순직 인정" [Ministry of National Defense acknowledges staff sergeant Byun Hui-su who was discharged after gender affirmation surgery died on-duty] (in Korean). Hankyoreh. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.