South Korea Official report on transgender rights released

English.Hani.co.kr

An official report dealing with the human rights of transgendered persons was released August 4. The report, prepared by an agency set up to investigate the realities of life for South Korea?s transgendered, was made up of members of the Democratic Labor Party?s committee on sexual minorities and an alliance of transgender people. Rep. Roh Hoe-chan of the party presented the report to the National Assembly.

According to the report, transgendered individuals first experience shame, frustration, and contempt in the school environment, which reinforces and demands normative gender roles. Female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals, in particular, gave up their studies because of the national standardized school uniform, which includes a skirt. Many ran away from home. They endured psychological conflict and felt shame due to the reactions of their parents and teachers.