By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
The government has started to review from scratch whether or not to allow conscientious objectors to perform alternative military services, a defense ministry official said Friday.
The move is a major U-turn from the previous liberal administration's tentative decision to allow alternative services for those refusing to fulfill their mandatory military duties due to their religious convictions.
All able-bodied South Korean men over 19 must serve in the military for about two years under the compulsory conscription system.
The Ministry of National Defense plans to commission a six-month study on the issue to a research institute, the ministry official said. After the report comes out, the ministry will hold a series of public hearings and debate sessions before making a final decision, he said.
``Public opinion has been divided over the issue so far. We need to take some more time to gather a consensus on the matter,'' the official said, asking not to be named. ``National consensus is a precondition to this issue. Without a national consensus, we cannot implement the plan.''
Hundreds of conscripts are annually jailed for their refusal to serve in the armed forces, according to the Military Manpower Administration. There were about 570 conscientious objectors last year.
The center-left Roh Moo-hyun administration accepted a recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission in December 2005 to allow alternative service for the objectors, such as working at public welfare facilities for a longer period of time than active service members.
The human rights watchdog recommended the government recognize the individual right to refuse compulsory military service because of their religious beliefs.
The recommendation, not legally binding, contrasted with a Constitutional Court decision in August the same year which affirmed that the nation's Conscription Law was lawful. The top court said religious beliefs could not override national security.
Many defense experts are worried about a possible security gap resulting from the weakness of military manpower, as more young people could use the alternative system to evade their mandatory service.
Most military members also view alternative service for conscientious objectors as an ``undeserved privilege'' granted to those who refuse military service.
South Korea already allows those with health conditions to serve their time at administrative offices instead of active service, following a four-week basic training program.