HOPE FOR OUR BROTHERS OF SOUTH KOREA Four acquitted on charges of refusing military service

[Bible Speaks]

HOPE FOR OUR BROTHERS OF SOUTH KOREA 
Four acquitted on charges of refusing military service
Seoul, May 16 (Korea Bizwire) - According to the constitutional law of South Korea, healthy youth must serve in the military as part of the country's national defense strategy.

However, on May 16, a man was acquitted by Judge Lee Seung-hoon in Suwon District Court for opposing military service.

The man, who opposed serving in the army on the grounds of being a Jehovah's Witness, was found not guilty of refusing military service along with three other men facing the same charges.

The man received a letter of notification to join the army in November last year, but he refused to participate in military service based on his religious beliefs.

The judge said that although all male citizens should contribute to national defense, history has shown that joining the military is not the only way to safeguard the country.

He also explained that conscientious objection for religious reasons is considered reasonable according to the Military Service Law.

However, it is expected that the Constitutional Court will rule on the constitutionality of the Military Service Law that requires the prosecution of conscientious objectors.

The court upheld the constitutionality when conscientious objectors filed petitions in 2004 and 2011.

Jehovah's Witnesses are known throughout the world for refusing to go to war or even to serve in the military. They have submitted a series of petitions to present an alternative service for conscientious objectors.

These motions were rejected by previous administrations, but the Luna administration is currently reviewing the current petition.

http://koreabizwire.com/four-acquitted-on-charges-of-refusing-military-service/118844