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Conscientious objectors found not guilty of draft dodging

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Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to join the Army because of their beliefs. Yonhap

By Jung Hae-myoung

An appeals court has found seven Jehovah's Witnesses innocent of draft dodging.

Changwon District Court ruled on Thursday that an earlier court's decision on the conscientious objectors was incompatible with the Constitution.

“The choice is inevitable,” the court said.

The seven were accused of refusing to serve in 2017. One worshipper received 18 months' jail for violating the military service law.

The Supreme Court will conduct a public hearing on Aug. 30 regarding the sentencing of conscientious objectors.