The National Human Rights Commission of Korea praises the Ministry of National Defense for their plan to allow alternative military service for conscientious objectors
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) warmly welcomes and supports the decision to allow conscientious objectors—particularly conscientious objectors on the basis of religion—alternative military service from the Ministry of National Defense. The Ministry announced the plan to create an alternative for conscientious objectors on September 19, 2007. The Commission announced that this decision was a monumental milestone for Korean society, by opening the way for conscientious objectors to serve their country through alternative means.
In December 2005, the Commission recommended that the Speaker of the National Assembly and Minister of National Defense to introduce alternative service options for conscientious objectors. However, the Ministry of National Defense maintained it was too early to offer them substitute service at that time.
There were a total of 3,761 religious conscientious objectors that refused military conscription from 2002-2006. The annual average stands at 752. About 90 percent of the objectors were sentenced to prison terms for refusing conscription. The Ministry of National Defense said that it has now decided to introduce alternative military service to protect human rights of conscientious objectors and to prevent them from being labeled ‘draft dodgers.’ In South Korea, draft dodgers have difficulty leading a normal life, because they are subject to criminal punishment and become disadvantaged in the job market.
A number of countries around the world have already introduced alternative service for conscientious objectors. Some international human rights groups have called on South Korea to respect the rights of objectors for whom serving in the military is against conscience and creed. However, it has been difficult to recognize conscientious objectors due to national division and volatile security situations. It has been impossible for anyone to put his or her conscience and religious conviction before national security.
The Commission sees this decision from the Ministry of National Defense as a positive sign that human rights awareness and acknowledgement of the importance of human rights is growing in Korean society.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001, offering investigation and remedy services for Korean citizens and foreigners residing in Korea that have been marginalized. The Commission provides policy recommendations and remedial action against human rights infringements, collaborates with human rights organizations and implements educational programs to improve the human rights culture.
