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 from 2017 to 2019.[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
PresidentMoon Jae-in
Prime MinisterLee Nak-yeon
Preceded byPark Sung-choon
Succeeded byPark Sam-duk
Personal details
Born (1956-08-20) 20 August 1956
Chungju, South Korea
Alma materCheongju University
Konkuk University
Military service
Allegiance South Korea
Branch/service Republic of Korea Army
Years of service1979—2009
Rank Lieutenant Colonel (Korean: Jungnyeong)
UnitArmy Aviation School
1st ROK Army Headquarters
In this Korean name, the family name is Pi.

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. After having a mastectomy on both breasts to avoid any discomfort in military service - even though only one was medically necessary - she returned to health and therefore army. 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
  1. "Minister of Patriots and Veterans Profile".
  2. "S. Korea's first-ever female helicopter pilot appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs".
  3. Pi, Woo-jin (2006). 여군은 초콜릿을 좋아하지 않는다 [Female Soldiers Do Not Like Chocolates] (in Korean). ISBN 9788991097582.
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