Pi Woo-jin (; born 20 August 1956) is a first-generation female helicopter pilot of

South Korean Army The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA; ), also known as the ROK Army or South Korean Army, is the army of South Korea, responsible for ground-based warfare. It is the largest of the military branches of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces with 365,0 ...

previously served as President

Moon Jae-in Moon Jae-in (, ; born January 24, 1953) is a South Korean politician and former lawyer who served as the 12th president of South Korea from 2017 to 2022. Before his presidency, he served as the senior secretary for civil affairs and the Chief ...

's first Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of South Korea from 2017 to 2019. She is the first woman to lead this ministry. After graduating from university in 1978, Pi worked as a teacher at a night school where she saw an ad from

. In 1979 she was commissioned as a second lieutenant after passing the cadet exam and training. From 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 discharged for being diagnosed with disability as defined by the military code. During the lawsuit to overthrow the decision and be reinstated to the army, she ran as a proportional representative candidate for the New Progressive Party in the 2008 general election. 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 led 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. She holds two degrees in physical education: a bachelor's from Cheongju University in 1978 and a master's from

Konkuk University Konkuk University () is a private university founded in South Korea in 1931. Konkuk University is known for its veterinary and art colleges at the Seoul campus. It has two campuses: one in Seoul and one in Chungju. The Seoul campus is located n ...

in 1986.

Electoral history

Published works

Pi's biography ''Female Soldiers Do Not Like Chocolates (2006)''

References

External links

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pi, Woo-jin Konkuk University alumni 1956 births Living people Government ministers of South Korea Women government ministers of South Korea South Korean aviators Women helicopter pilots Republic of Korea Army personnel People from Chungju Hongcheon Pi clan