Army officer hopes to serve as female officer after sex change operation

Lim Tae-hoon, director of the Centre for Military Human Rights Korea (CMHRK) speaks during a press conference, Thursday, at the center headquarters in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Lim called on the military to allow "transgender" officers to continue their military service after receving sex change operations. Yonhap

By Jung Da-min

The Republic of Korea Army is planning to review whether they will discharge an Army officer who received a sex change operation to become a woman.

The officer, whose identity was withheld, was diagnosed with gender dysphoria at a military hospital in June last year. The officer informed their unit of their intention to receive the operation, and after getting permission for temporary leave, underwent the operation in Thailand in December, according to the Centre for Military Human Rights Korea (CMHRK), Thursday.

After returning to the unit in northern Gyeonggi Province, the officer took a medical test at the hospital, which diagnosed them with a class-three mental and physical disorder. According to military law, those with class-one to class-seven disorders are to be discharged from the military. Before the officer went on leave, the hospital gave notice that there would be a possibility of not being able to continue military service.

According to Army officials, the officer expressed hope of being able to keep serving in the military as a female officer. The Army will soon determine if the officer should be discharged.

According to military law, there are no specific regulations for those who receive sex change operations after joining the military. The Army said the issue of whether to keep such people in the military should be discussed at a legislative level as it requires a national consensus.

The CMHRK expressed full support for the “first transgender officer.”

The center called on the Army to keep the officer in the military, saying not only the officer but also the officer's unit wants them to continue to serve in the military. The officer has asked a local court to allow a gender change from male to female on their family registration, it said.

“Transgender people are allowed to serve in the military in the United States,” Lim Tae-hoon, director of the CMHRK, said in a press conference. “There are quite a few officers in the South Korean military who consult with hospitals or relevant organizations to have gender reassignment surgery.”

The CMHRK also launched a fundraising effort to cover expenses for the officer's legal consultation and possible legal battle.