Concerns Grow Over Gender Changes Without Surgery & Impact on Korean society
Recent court rulings in South Korea are allowing individuals to legally change their gender without undergoing sex reassignment surgery. This has sparked debate and concern, especially regarding the potential impact on national security, societal foundations, and religious principles.
The trend began with District Court decisions permitting gender changes without surgery, leading to a phenomenon dubbed “court shopping” and “judge shopping” as applicants seek judges perceived as more sympathetic to their cases.In 2023 alone, approximately 200 individuals successfully altered their legal gender without surgical intervention.
A recent case, decided August 5th by Judge Lim Soo-hee of the Seoul Southern District Court, overturned a previous ruling denying a transgender woman’s submission for gender correction.Judge Lim cited precedents from the Cheongju District Court and international cases, arguing that requiring surgery to legally recognise a gender change is a misinterpretation of the law.
Though, this evolving legal landscape has raised anxieties about the potential erosion of established societal norms. Concerns have been voiced that allowing gender changes without surgery could conflict with deeply held beliefs about the created order.
International trends offer contrasting perspectives. The United States, during the Trump governance, affirmed a binary view of gender and restricted military service for transgender individuals, as well as access to medical support for gender dysphoria in youth. Similarly, the UK Supreme Court ruled in April 2024 that “women means biological women,” a decision expected to influence policies related to sports, education, and government statistics.
In the context of South Korea, a nation divided and with mandatory military service, the issue takes on added significance. Questions have been raised about the implications for national defense obligations if individuals change their gender to avoid service.
These concerns have prompted action from groups like the Youth Union for the next generation education, who have been staging daily protests in front of the Seoul Southern District Law Court. The group reports receiving unexpected support from the public, including encouragement and small gifts.
Public opinion appears to be largely skeptical of gender changes without surgery, with a recent poll indicating that 73% of respondents oppose the practice. Even some court staff reportedly expressed surprise at the rulings.
The Youth Union argues that a society where gender is fluidly changeable risks destabilizing the nation’s foundations. They advocate for upholding what they believe to be biblical truths and protecting Korea’s existing social order. They are actively working to prevent the passage of anti-discrimination laws they fear would further facilitate these changes and are calling for the preservation of Korea’s conventional understanding of gender and societal structure.
Kim Kyung-hye, Youth Leader
Youth Union for the next generation education
