'Conscientious Objectors' Jehovah's Witnesses Confirmed Not Guilty

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Jehovah's Witnesses who refused active military enlistment have been acquitted.

On the 13th, the Supreme Court upheld the original verdict of not guilty in the appeal trial of 111 people, including Park Mo, who were charged with violating the Military Service Act.

This ruling was made based on the "genuine conscientious objection to military service" standard presented by the Supreme Court en banc in November 2018. This is the first time a not guilty verdict has been finalized.

In 2018, the Supreme Court en banc ruled that refusing military enlistment based on religious beliefs such as refusal to bear arms constitutes a "justifiable reason for military service objection," and therefore cannot be criminally punished, overturning and remanding the Military Service Act violation case with a not guilty intent.

After the Supreme Court made this decision, lower courts have consecutively acquitted Jehovah's Witnesses charged with violating the Military Service Act.

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