Alternative service for military objectors should not be punitive: UN investigator

[Guest Indiana]

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- A UN investigator on freedom of speech and expression on Wednesday highlighted the need for an alternative military service that is not punitive but can be beneficial to both objectors and Korean society.

Speaking at a public session on alternative service for conscientious objectors at the National Assembly, David Kaye, UN special rapporteur for freedom of expression, said alternative service "should not be of punitive nature" and "the length of the service should be the same as military service."

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Since the 1950s, around 19,000 conscientious objectors, most of them associated with the Jehovah's Witnesses, have been arrested and served jail terms of 18 months for rejecting conscription.

mlee@yna.co.kr
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Read full article: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20191002010600315

[Arauna]

Thanks for the article.  These brothers have stigma.