The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Sun, January 24, 2021 | 14:44
Defense
Korea considers accepting conscientious objection
Posted : 2017-08-23 17:00
Updated : 2017-08-23 19:06
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Jung Min-ho



The government is reviewing the possibility of alternative ways for conscientious objectors to serve their country.

All able-bodied men here must spend around two years in the military.

In a report to the U.N., the Ministry of Justice said the issue is open to discussion and it will take a careful examination before deciding anything — a big step forward from the previous stance that "it is practically impossible."

In the report submitted Tuesday, the ministry said, "The Supreme Court held public hearings, a bill for that issue has been proposed to the National Assembly and ministries are collecting opinions through surveys. Discussions have been taking place."

Over the past six decades, nearly 20,000 "conscientious objectors" have gone to prison for refusing to serve in the armed forces since it became compulsory for all able-bodied men in South Korea, a country still technically at war with North Korea.

Most of the objectors are Jehovah's Witnesses, and they usually end up behind bars for 18 months.

Organizations such as Amnesty International advised the government to find other ways for them to fulfill their duty, but little has changed so far.

In the report, the ministry also noted it will consider whether to abolish the law which bans sexual activity between male soldiers.

However, the ministry defended the law's fundamental purpose, saying "in a certain circumstances, the law is necessary to maintain order."

In May, an Army captain was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for one year for homosexual activity, which drew protests from members of left-wing civic groups.

In a message that stresses the Moon Jae-in government's will to protect workers' rights, the ministry revealed plans to turn all irregular workers in the public sector into regular ones.

It also admitted that the government is responsible for the death of Baek Nam-ki, a farmer who died last year following 10 months in a coma after being sprayed by a police water cannon during a protest. The ministry promised to take proper measures to prevent any similar incidents.

But over issues such as abolition of the death penalty and the National Security Law, the ministry did not change its position.

The United Nations' human rights body will review the report in November at a meeting in Geneva.









Emailmj6c2@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
WooriBank
 
  • New Year brings despair
  • Pakistani man killed during TikTok video stunt on train track
  • The death of K-pop
  • Inexcusable deaths of children in Korea
  • From 'America first' to 'Earth first'
  • North Korea sees talks as way to advance nuclear program, says US intel official
  • Balance of Joseon royal court interpreted through contemporary design
  • Growing number of businesses seek to tap into EV battery waste
  • [INTERVIEW] AMCHAM chief says more chemistry to come between Korea, US
  • LG's value to improve with mobile biz restructuring: analysts
  • [K-POP INTERVIEW] What are MOMOLAND's comfort foods? [VIDEO] [K-POP INTERVIEW] What are MOMOLAND's comfort foods? [VIDEO]
  • Korean National Ballet, KBS criticized for dangerous filming location Korean National Ballet, KBS criticized for dangerous filming location
  • National Theater Company pursues barrier-free, reduction of carbon footprint National Theater Company pursues barrier-free, reduction of carbon footprint
  • Popera singer Lim Hyung-joo: Music is my destiny Popera singer Lim Hyung-joo: Music is my destiny
  • Hyun Bin thanks Son Ye-jin after winning grand prize at 2020 APAN Star Awards Hyun Bin thanks Son Ye-jin after winning grand prize at 2020 APAN Star Awards
DARKROOM
  • Biden takes office as 46th president

    Biden takes office as 46th president

  • Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

    Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

  • Second Trump impeachment

    Second Trump impeachment

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright