Female-to-Male Transsexuals to Be Spared Draft

Female-to-male transsexuals will be exempt from military service without undergoing a physical if their sex change has been recorded in the family register.

The Military Manpower Administration on Thursday issued preliminary notice on a revised enforcement ordinance for the Military Service Act to that effect.

Three female-to-male transsexuals were exempted from military service in 2006, two in 2007, two in 2008, and three this year, bringing the total to 10.

The MMA said it is revising the ordinance due to controversy over the human rights of transsexuals. In examination, some transsexuals resisted doctors' checks of their genitals. Male-to-female transsexuals are already exempt.