She was identified by the Center for Military Human Rights Korea (CMHRK) as a tank officer. The group said in a statement that she had been receiving hormone therapy and psychological treatment before the surgery. It also said the soldier's brigade was aware that she was transgender and supported her decision to undergo transition surgery.
"It is now time for the South Korean military to set up guidelines and regulations about transgender people," said Kim Hyung-nam, the director of CMHRK. "We strongly urge the South Korean military not to discharge this officer so that she can continue to serve as a female officer."
The Defense Ministry's decision will likely have important ramifications for the future of LGBTQI soldiers, as South Korea has one of the most stringent conscription laws of any democracy in the world. The country is still technically at war with North Korea, as hostilities ended with a truce rather than a treaty.
All able-bodied South Korean men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to perform at least 21 months of active-duty military service, and can face prison if they attempt to avoid conscription. South Korea, which does not permit same-sex marriage, does not consider sexual orientation a valid reason to avoid conscription.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/17/asia/south-korea-transgender-soldier-military-intl-hnk/index.html