Transgender Student Accepted to Sookmyung Women's University: "I'm Angry and Scared About Whether I Can Enroll"

"If Admitted, Still Not Free from Harsh Stares"

Sookmyung Women's University

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] A transgender woman who underwent gender reassignment surgery from male to female has expressed her position amid the controversy over her admission to Sookmyung Women's University.

On the 2nd, Hankyoreh published an interview with A (22), who underwent gender reassignment surgery in Thailand last year, received legal gender correction approval from the court, and was admitted to the College of Law at Sookmyung Women's University.

She said, "I felt frustrated seeing approaches that my admission should be denied because I was a socially majority male, or reactions claiming I did not properly undergo gender reassignment surgery," adding, "Even if I enroll, I am afraid I may not be able to register due to the harsh stares."

Regarding Sergeant Byeon Hee-su, who was forcibly discharged from the army after gender reassignment surgery, she said, "There were reactions like 'If he lives quietly, why stir up trouble?' which was surprising and angering," and pointed out, "It is wrong that the majority or other minorities say that any minority revealing their identity should live in hiding due to discrimination and contempt, and that some minorities accept this as is."

According to the interview, A had to endure harsh stares even before receiving legal gender correction approval from the court. A month before the approval, in September last year, when she visited the local education office in a dress to register for the College Scholastic Ability Test, an employee advised her, "On the test day, students might feel uncomfortable, so please dress normally." A emphasized, "Even cisgender (people whose biological sex matches their gender identity) males should not have to hear such things."

A has not yet decided whether to register at Sookmyung Women's University, but if she enrolls, she has unique aspirations. She wants to engage in activities to raise awareness that anyone can be a minority in some way, saying, "I hope society becomes more inclusive of everyone," and "People cannot be majorities in all areas; in some situations, they inevitably become minorities."

Meanwhile, the university community is heatedly debating A's admission to the women's university. Some current students of Sookmyung Women's University are reportedly protesting by collectively calling the admissions office and sending complaint emails to the alumni association. On the campus bulletin board, posts opposing the admission of a transgender male have been repeatedly uploaded and received many recommendations.

On the other hand, there are also movements supporting A. The Sookmyung Women's University Public Interest and Human Rights Academic Club "Gachi" issued a statement on the 31st of last month, saying, "The idea of distinguishing women based on genitalia repeats the existing misogynistic view that regards women as sexual objects," and pointed out, "The claim that transgender people cannot be admitted is transphobic."

Currently, the school is taking a cautious stance regarding the controversy over A's admission. A Sookmyung Women's University official stated, "We are aware of students' concerns, but since A has legally changed her gender, there is no procedural problem with her admission," adding, "We are not discussing an official position."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.