Ⅱ. Respecting the Dignity and Value of Diverse Members of Society: 1. Efforts in Responding to Hatred and Discrimination
Hate speeches by the media, politicians and public officials infringe on the
dignity of the members of the group subjected to the hate speech and stipulates
the members of the specific group as inferior or dangerous. Moreover, the
distortion of the public opinion accelerates inequality in policy and system or to
avoid any corrections on the inequality. This will lead to a society where
discrimination and exclusion is systemized. On the other hand, it will lead the
members of the targeted group to feel weakened, afraid, frustrated, and ultimately
to self-contempt and self-denial.
According to the [Transgender Hatred and Discrimination Survey] released by
the NHRCK in Feb. 2021, 337 transgender (57.1%) have depression, 143 (24.4%) are
diagnosed or treated for a panic attack. In 2018, researchers from Korea University
Health Science School conducted a survey on 278 transgender for their health. The
result showed that 40% attempted suicide, which is much higher as compared to
adults (0.5%) and adolescents (3.1%) in the same year.
Transgender
Adults over the age of 19
Depression
57.1%
3.9%
Panic Attack
24.4%
0.2%
Note: 1) Ratio of transgender respondents who answered that they have been diagnosed or treated for depression
ora panic attack in 2019
2) For adults over the age of 19, statistics on chronic illness from the webpage of Korea Disease Control and
Prevention Agency for 2018 and results from the survey of mental illness in 2016 and 2017 by Samsung
Seoul Hospital were used
Source: NHRCK, [National Human Rights Status Survey], 2021.
Byun Hui-su, a transgender soldier, who ‘wanted to become a good soldier,
regardless of sexual identity,’ (press conference on Jan. 22, 2020) died on Mar. 3,
2021. Staff sergeant Byun underwent a gender reassignment surgery while serving
in the army was discharged for disability. On Feb. 8, 2021, transgender writer L and
on Feb. 24, 2021, a transgender activist K died. The transgender activist K wrote
“I’m exhausted... from life, hatred and hate towards me... it has been building for
a long time ... I’m sorry” on social media one day prior to the death.
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