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Human rights body approves foundation supporting transgender people after nearly 2 years

Published: 05 Mar. 2026, 19:40

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea headquarters in central Seoul is seen in this file photo. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Korea's human rights watchdog approved the establishment of a foundation advocating for the rights of transgender people on Thursday, following nearly two years of deliberations.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea gave the nod to the nonprofit Byun Huisu Foundation, named after a late transgender soldier who was forcibly discharged from service, after a civic group filed the application in May 2024.

While decisions on such matters are typically made within 20 days, proceedings were delayed as the move faced opposition from a conservative member of the watchdog's three standing commissioners.

The delay prompted the foundation's preparatory committee to take legal action against the watchdog, with the Seoul Administrative Court ruling last December that the delayed proceedings were illegal.

Along with the ruling, the standing commissioner who had voiced opposition to the envisioned foundation left office last month, leading to Thursday's decision.

“I apologize to the preparatory committee for the delay in approval due to senseless reasons, such as a certain member's continued opposition,” Lee Sook-jin, a standing commissioner, told reporters.

The preparatory committee said in a statement that it would make efforts to create a society in which the dignity and rights of transgender people are respected.

Ssg. Byun had undergone gender confirmation surgery in 2019, two years after voluntarily enlisting, and expressed her desire to keep serving in the military as a woman.

But the Army forcibly discharged her in January 2020, citing her physical changes as a disability under military law. She later filed a suit over its decision to discharge her against her will but was found dead at her home in March 2021.

Yonhap