Im Seong-gu

Im Seong-gu, Korean: 임성구지, was a Korean intersex person from the early Joseon dynasty.

Biography

Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty - Sillok in its case at the University of Seoul

The dates of Im Seong-gu's life are unknown, but part of it is recorded in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, in Book 8 - the Veritable Records of Seonjo (Revised).[1] In the annals, Im Seong-gu is referred to as a "man from Gilju", who married a man and a woman.[1] It also discusses how they were full of both ying and yang, which expressed itself through their gender.[2] They were brought up as a girl, married, but the husband was shocked to see their body on the wedding night.[2] They later re-married to a woman.[2]

In 1548, the Joseon court decided that Im Seong-gu was disturbing society and exiled them.[1] The Saganwon (사간원), the opposition to the monarchy, insisted that Im Seong-gu should be executed.[3] However King Myeongjong of Joseon forbade execution, stating that exile was enough.[3] The annals discuss whether they should be killed, like other similar people in India.[3] They also describes how Im Seong-gu wore men's and women's clothes.[3]

However, another interpretation of the Veritable Records describes Im Seong-gu as a bisexual man.[4]

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See also

References

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