South Korea has finally approved the creation of a foundation meant to support transgender people and protect them from discrimination, after nearly two years of delays and back-and-forth discussions.
The new organization, called the Byun Huisu Foundation, is expected to focus on helping trans people who face discrimination in everyday life, while also pushing for better awareness and rights protections. The approval only came after a court stepped in earlier this year and ruled that the long delay in processing the application was not justified.
The foundation’s application was first submitted back in 2024, but it got stuck inside the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. The review process dragged on far longer than expected, largely due to internal disagreement, including strong opposition from one commissioner. At one point, the issue escalated to court, which eventually ordered the process to move forward.
Once the court ruling was issued, the approval followed soon after, and the commissioner who had opposed the foundation later stepped down. Officials also acknowledged that internal conflict had slowed down what should have been a routine decision.
The foundation is named after Byun Hee-soo, a transgender soldier whose death in 2021 sparked national debate in South Korea about the treatment of transgender people in the military and in wider society. Her case became a symbol for many activists pushing for change.
Supporters of the foundation say it will provide legal help, advocacy, and public education, especially at a time when transgender people in South Korea still face a lot of barriers. While it is possible to legally change gender in the country under strict conditions, there is still no comprehensive anti-discrimination law that clearly protects gender identity.
For many activists, the approval is a step forward, even if a small one. They say it shows progress is happening, but also makes it clear that bigger legal changes are still needed.
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