국가인권위 "양심적 병역거부, 처벌대상에서 제외해야"
South Korea’s human rights watchdog stood up for those who refuse to carry out their mandatory military service for valid reasons including religion.
The National Human Rights Commission submitted a response to the Supreme Court over the question of whether conscientious objectors should be exempt from being penalized.
Under the current Military Service Actll able-bodied South Korean men must serve for around two years.
Those who fail to answer to their conscription without submitting a valid reason are subject to legal punishments.
In June, the Constitutional Court upheld the current law punishing draft dodgers, but it also ruled that it is unconstitutional not to include alternative services for the conscientious objectors.
The watchdog cited the UN body’s recommendation to protect their rights as much as their obligations.
