South Korea has discharged its first known transgender soldier after she had gender reassignment surgery.

It was the first time a member of the army was referred to a military panel to determine whether to end their service due to a sex reassignment operation.

The country does not allow transgender army recruits, but has no specific laws on what to do with those who have gender reassignment surgery while on active duty.

Image: Byun Hui-su had surgery after suffering with depression over her sexual identity

In a statement, the army concluded the soldier's operation can be considered a reason for discharge.

Officials said the decision went through due process and was based on a related military law on personnel changes.


The army cited a provision of the law allowing them to discharge personnel with physical or mental disabilities, if those problems were not a result of combat or in the line of duty.

After the ruling, the staff sergeant - who identified herself as a tank driver named Byun Hui-su - pleaded with military leaders to reconsider, saying it was her "childhood dream" to serve her country.

Holding back tears during a press conference, she said: "Regardless of my sexual identity, I'd like to show everyone that I can become one of the great soldiers who protect this country."

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"Please give me that chance," she said, adding that last year she had come first in an official assessment of tank driving skills among her battalion's staff sergeants.

Ms Byun said she had the operation in Thailand in November after suffering with depression for a long time over her sexual identity.

Lim Tae-hoon, leader of the Seoul-based Center for Military Human Rights, insisted he would fight alongside Ms Byun and others to transform what he called "our savage military".

He said: "I can't resist feeling wretched at the military's vulgar mindset as they determined that the lack of a male genital is a physical disability."

South Korea's state-run human rights watchdog recommended the army postpone its decision.

Image: At a news conference Byun Hui-su pleaded with military leaders to reconsider

In a statement, the National Human Rights Commission said that referring the soldier to the military panel would be an act of discrimination over sexual identity and affect the soldier's basic human rights.

There has been a gradual shift in public views on gender issues in the country in recent years, with several gay-themed movies and TV dramas becoming hits. Some transgender entertainers have also become stars.

But activists claim transgender people are still likely to face harassment, abuse and insults - with many suffering from depression - as a strong bias against sexual minorities continues to run deep in South Korean society.