Pi Woo-jin
Pi Woo-jin (Korean: 피우진; Hanja: 皮宇鎭; born 20 August 1956) is a first generation female helicopter pilot of South Korean Army previously served as President Moon Jae-in's first Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of South Korea.[1] She is the first woman to lead this ministry.[2]
Pi Woo-jin | |
---|---|
피우진 | |
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs | |
In office 17 May 2017 – 15 August 2019 | |
President | Moon Jae-in |
Prime Minister | Lee Nak-yeon |
Preceded by | Park Sung-choon |
Succeeded by | Park Sam-duk |
Personal details | |
Born | Chungju, South Korea | 20 August 1956
Alma mater | Cheongju University Konkuk University |
Military service | |
Allegiance | |
Branch/service | |
Years of service | 1979—2009 |
Rank | |
Unit | Army Aviation School 1st ROK Army Headquarters |
After graduating from university in 1978, Pi worked as a teacher at a night school where she saw an ad from South Korean Army. In 1979 she was commissioned as Second Lieutenant after passing the cadet exam and training. Since 1981 she worked as a helicopter pilot after completing relevant training.
In 2002 Pi was diagnosed with breast cancer. She returned to health and therefore army after a mastectomy on both breasts to avoid any discomfort in military service even though only one was medically necessary. In 2006 she was forced to be discharged for being diagnosed with disability defined by military code.[2]
During the lawsuit to overthrow the decision and therefore be reinstated to the army, she ran as a proportional representative candidate for the New Progressive Party in the 2008 general election.[2] She quit the party as soon as she won the legal battle since no military officer can hold party membership.
In 2009 Pi rejoined the army and lead the Department of Training and Doctrine Development at the Army Aviation School for over three months before she was discharged due to the standard retirement age for her rank.[2]
She holds two degrees in physical education: bachelor from Cheongju University in 1978 and master's from Konkuk University in 1986.
Electoral History
Election | Year | Province | Party Affiliation | Votes | Percentage of votes | Results |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18th National Assembly General Election | 2008 | Proportional representation | New Progressive Party | 504,466 | 2.94% | Lost |
Published works
Pi's biography Female Soldiers Do Not Like Chocolates (2006)[3]
References
- "Minister of Patriots and Veterans Profile".
- "S. Korea's first-ever female helicopter pilot appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs".
- Pi, Woo-jin (2006). 여군은 초콜릿을 좋아하지 않는다 [Female Soldiers Do Not Like Chocolates] (in Korean). ISBN 9788991097582.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pi Woo-jin. |