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On International Conscientious Objection Day

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) voted to again recommend that the South Korean government institute an alternative service system for conscientious objectors to mandatory military service.

The commission announced on June 28 that its standing committee had voted the day before to recommend the Ministry of National Defense develop alternative service policies to address the “urgent need to resolve the human rights infringement situation for conscientious objectors.” It also agreed to submit an opinion to the National Assembly Speaker demanding the swift passage of a Military Service Act amendment before the National Assembly.

The NHRCK’s recommendation that the government institute an alternative service system is its fifth since Dec. 2005. The committee explained that it had referred to repeated UN Human Rights Committee decisions finding South Korea’s failure to recognize conscientious objection to be an “infringement on freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.”

The commission also based its recommendation on its own survey findings showing popular support for recognition of conscientious objection up to 46.1% last year from 10.2% in 2005; survey findings showing 80.5% of Seoul Bar Association attorneys supporting institution of alternative service; and 13 court rulings at various levels acquitting conscientious objectors in the first half of 2017 alone.

By Heo Jae-hyun, staff reporter

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