As former Sergeant Byeon Hee-soo, who was forced to be discharged after sex change surgery, was found dead yesterday (3 days), mourning from all walks of life continues. The National Human Rights Commission issued a statement and urged the National Assembly to begin discussions on enacting anti-discrimination laws as soon as possible.
Reporter Jung Joon-ho’s report.
<기자>
Cheongju’s home where former Sergeant Byun Hee-soo was found dead.
A bottle of soju left behind by someone and an envelope with a memorial message was placed at the door.
There was no will.
Sergeant Byeon has been receiving psychological counseling until recently, but since the end of last month, he has not been contacted.
[강지은/청주시 상당 정신건강복지센터 상임팀장 : (어제)문 두드리고 그렇게 했는데… 전화가 안 되고 이래서 이제 112에 신고를 했죠.]
In January of last year, Sergeant Byeon disclosed the fact of a sex change operation while serving in the military.
[변희수/전 육군 하사 (지난해 1월) : 모든 성 소수자 군인들이 차별받지 않는 환경에서 각자 임무와 사명을 수행할 수 있었으면 합니다. 저는 대한민국 군인입니다. 감사합니다. 통일.]
However, the army determined that he had a mental and physical disability and forced him to discharge.
When even the request for re-examination was rejected, Sergeant Byeon filed a lawsuit against the military to cancel the discharge, and the news came a month before the first pleading.
[변희수/전 육군 하사 (지난해 8월) : 사법부의 정의로운 판단과 혐오를 이길 수 있는 대한민국을 기대합니다.]
Condolences from all walks of life continued.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea urged the National Assembly to enact an anti-discrimination law, saying that the efforts of the deceased will be forever remembered.
Human rights organizations also commemorated their efforts to make a world free of discrimination and hate.
While expressing condolences, the Ministry of Defense said it had not discussed improving the military service system for transgender people.
(Video coverage: Jeong Sang-bo, Joo Hong-jung CJB, video editing: Kim Jong-tae)