The Army will determine whether to discharge a non-commissioned officer who underwent gender reassignment surgery while on furlough.

According to Army officials on Thursday, the officer, serving at a base in northern Gyeonggi Province, went overseas last year for the operation.

While the officer has expressed a desire to continue military service as a female solider, a military medical team declared her "handicapped" in an examination, requiring authorities' decision on a possible discharge.

Military medical officials, meanwhile, reportedly informed the officer prior to the furlough that she may not be able to return to the military after the surgery.

There are no specific laws or regulations on allowing those in uniform who change their gender to stay in the military.