The 23 year old staff sergeant was discharged from the military last year for undergoing gender reassignment surgery.

Beyond was found dead by emergency officials at her home in the city of Changzhou, south of Seoul on Wednesday.

The military originally said it wasn't in a position to comment, which drew sharp criticism on social media.

But on Thursday, South Korea's Defense Ministry deputy spokesman Moon Hyung sik broke the silence.

We expressed condolences for the unfortunate death of former Sergeant Beyond Beyond, went public and launched a landmark legal challenge against senior military officials last year over her dismissal.

She had expressed hope of continuing to serve in the military's female corpse.

LGBT rights groups said her bravery and coming forward had inspired and empowered others.

The case triggered debate in South Korea over how transgender members of the military are treated in a country that requires all able bodied men to serve for around two years.