The defense ministry is seeking to revise rules on the requirements for mandatory military service in a move that could pave the way for some transgender women to carry out alternative service and undergo basic military training, officials said Friday.

On Dec. 13, the ministry submitted a proposal to revise its ordinance on physical exams for military service, outlining that transgender women who have not received at least six months of hormone therapy are eligible for the alternative supplementary service that includes three weeks of boot camp training.

All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve at least 18 months in the military in a country that faces constant threats from North Korea. Those who do not meet the physical requirements are exempt or have to serve alternative services, such as social service agents.

Currently, transgender women who have received hormone therapy for six months or more are exempt from mandatory service, while those who have not are required to retake physical exa
ms. Those who have undergone gender-affirming surgeries are exempt.

A ministry official said it is pushing for the revision to clarify the existing rules, noting that it has received complaints over continuous reexaminations from those who do not meet the requirement for exemption.

The ministry plans to make preparations so that transgender women who qualify for supplementary service can undergo training in an environment with suitable conditions if the rules are revised, the official added.

It is receiving opinions on its proposed revision through Monday before it undergoes further regulatory and legislative reviews.

Source: Yonhap News Agency