Conscientious objectors to file constitutional petition

A group of 330 Jehovah’s Witnesses plans to file a constitutional appeal Tuesday, demanding their right to conscientious objection, their legal representative said.

In the petition, they will propose that the Korean government provide alternative military service, compensate objectors who served time in prison and erase their criminal records, according to lawyer Oh Du-jin.

"The U.N. Human Rights Committee has repeatedly advised Korea to provide alternative service, which Korea has consistently ignored," Oh told the Korea Herald. Providing alternative service is a minimum human rights requirement, so Korea's human rights policy is not up to par with its standing in the global society, according to Oh.

"In this petition, we will demand that the Korean government address this issue and keep to global standards of human rights." 

The law mandates that all able-bodied Korean men serve in the military for at least 21 months. The law does not allow for conscientious objectors, who may receive a maximum three-year sentence for refusing service. They are usually sentenced to 18 months, and are released on parole four months prior to the end of their term.

For the past 60 years, more than 17,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses have served time in prison for conscientious objection. Past eight constitutional reviews calling for alternative service have not been successful due to military threat posed by North Korea and lack of national support for the cause. 

By Lee Sang-ju (sjlee370heraldcorp.com)