Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Bill proposed to allow gender change without surgery
This April 16 photo shows Rep. Jang Hye-yeong speaking during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul. Jang and nine other lawmakers on Monday proposed to allow people to change their legal gender without undergoing surgery. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
A bill has been proposed to allow anyone to change their legal gender without having to undergo sex reassignment surgery.
Rep. Jang Hye-yeong and nine other lawmakers proposed the bill on Monday to ensure "the right to self-determination," saying the judicial guideline that de facto demands such surgery for legal gender change is too intrusive.
Without any law in place regarding the issue, many of those seeking to change their gender status find the process convoluted and even "insulting" as they face questions deemed too personal or unnecessary, they noted.
The bill also aims to strengthen their right to privacy. If passed, those found to have leaked information about their gender change could face up to three years in prison or a maximum fine of 30 million won ($22,000).
Yet the chances of the bill passing the National Assembly are close to zero, as major parties remain reluctant to vote for the bill.
Rep. Kim Hong-gul of the Democratic Party of Korea was the only major party lawmaker to sign the bill.