Table 1 Headline keywords used to describe Byun before coming out in public (before 22 January 2020)

A

8

gender transitioned soldier (3), gender transitioned non-commissioned officer (1), gender transitioned staff sergeant (1), gender transitioned tank driver (1)

male non-commissioned officer who received sex reassignment surgery on vacation (1), male staff sergeant who is a tank driver (1)

B

16

transgender non-commissioned officer (6), the first transgender staff sergeant in Korean military (1), transgender staff sergeant (1), transgender (1)

gender transitioned non-commissioned officer (2), staff sergeant transitioned gender on duty (1), staff sergeant transitioned gender on vacation (1) non-commissioned officer transitioned gender on vacation (2)

gender transitioned male non-commissioned officer (1)

C

4

transgender soldier (1), first transgender soldier (1)

male non-commissioned officer transitioned gender on vacation (1), male non-commissioned officer (1)

D

7

gender transitioned soldier (3), military sexual minority (1), non-commissioned officer with sex reassignment surgery (1)

army non-commissioned officer (1), “A” sergeant (1)