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Gay, trans soldiers in South Korea face harassment
TIWN
Gay, trans soldiers in South Korea face harassment
PHOTO : TIWN

Seoul, July 11 (TIWN) In a country where military service is obligatory for all men and consensual sex between men in the military is a crime, gay and trans soldiers in South Korea fall victim to harassment, violence and sexual assault, according to a new Amnesty International report.

Military service lasts between 21-24 months and an estimated 400,000 South Koreans aged between 18-35 are enlisted each year.  One of the questions new recruits are asked when enlisting is: “Are you attracted to men?” 

According to the report, the majority of gay recruits respond “no” to that question in a bid to hide their sexual orientation and stave off any harassment.  Many soldiers have hidden their sexuality from their family and peers for years, according to Roseanne Rife, AI’s director of research for East Asia, who spoke in Seoul on Thursday during the presentation of the “Serving in silence” study, which entailed interviewing soldiers and activists. 

"The pervasive discrimination and hostile environment for LGTBI individuals make many incredibly reluctant to share their stories and even to publicly acknowledge their sexual orientation or gender identity," said Rife.  The majority of respondents asked for anonymity.  Among those who chose to share their experiences were some who replied “yes” to the question and faced consequences from the get-go as “soldiers of interest.” 

But even if they don’t say it openly, they risk attacks carried out by or with the permission of superiors for “walking in an ‘effeminate’ manner, having fairer skin or speaking in a higher-pitched voice,” according to the report.  Although there are regulations to prevent discrimination against LGBT members of the armed forces, accounts from 20 ex-soldiers showed harassment is common.

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