Im Seong-gu

Im Seong-gu (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]

See also

References
  1. "조선왕조실록 - Myeongjong Annals 8, Myeongjong November 18, 2nd article". sillok.history.go.kr. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  2. "임성구지, 남성과 여성의 중간 몸? "임성구지의 몸을 본 남편은 혼비백산" - Seong-gu Lim, male and female middle body?". 뉴스인사이드 (in Korean). 2017-12-21. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  3. "조선왕조실록 -Myeongjong Annals 8, Myeongjong November 21, 3rd Imjin Article". sillok.history.go.kr. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  4. "반음양인간 '임성구지'의 정체 – The essence of the semi-Yin Yang people - Sciencetimes" (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-05-26.
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