hankyoreh

Lieutenant Colonel Pi U-jin is the nation's first female helicopter pilot. She will return to civilian life on November 30 after 27 years in service. But even though Lieutenant Colonel Pi served the Korean military for half of her life, since 1979 at age 23, she will not be allowed an honorable discharge from the military.

Lieutenant Colonel Pi is famous for the nation's first female helicopter pilot and its first female flight instructor. But this is not why she is so well known - the story of her dismissal has recently thrust her into the spotlight. She was given notice of dismissal from military authorities because she had developed breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Under military law, those who have a medical history of cancer or who have received a mastectomy should be discharged from the military service. Lieutenant Colonel Pi wanted to remain with the military, as she was judged as completely cured by her doctors, and there was no problem with her performing her duties after her mastectomy.

However, the military authorities decided she had a "Grade II Handicap" and would not rescind her order of dismissal. In contrast, in grading her disability as related to compensation, which is evaluated separately, the military authorities judged that she belonged to the lowest grade of 7.

Her supporters are going to give Lieutenant Colonel Pi a small party on November 30. The party will be meaningful in that they will celebrate the recent publication of her book, "Female Soldiers Don't Like Chocolates." Media have paid attention to the book because she deals with gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the military.

According to her book, when she was a captain, she locked horns with a four-star general who ordered her to send him female soldiers working for her to his drinking party.

She pointed out that the reality of female soldiers had been exaggerated. According to her, the life of female soldiers is neither as beautiful nor as leisurely as is depicted in popular culture. What they have are regulations to follow and training sessions just like male soldiers. Moreover, they should maintain their femininity, as well, she said.

“When we were trained to be officers, we were ordered to do our hair well and wear make-up to look more feminine and gracious. It was like we were being prepped for the Miss Korea Contest.”

Even before the book was published, there were many that worried whether the book would have a negative influence on her personnel evaluation by the Ministry of National Defense, slated for December. On the contrary, there also were opinions that the reality of female soldiers should be known to the public. Lieutenant Colonel Pi said, "My book is one thing and the personnel inspection is another. I believe the ministry will make a reasonable decision."

There remains the final decision. The ministry's personnel evaluation is her last hope. If it fails, Lieutenant Colonel Pi will file a suit to the administration court.

While marching through the nation for 23 days to let the public know about the old-fashioned ideas of the military laws, she was wearing the red scarf traditionally worn by military pilots.

"Among five female commanders who worked together, three developed cancer, including myself. Two died and only I was cured," she said. "I don't want to see another person in my current situation."

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