Conscientious Objectors' Alternative Military Service Fully Implemented... 36-Month Service in Prisons, etc.

Performing Public Service Tasks Such as Meal Management, Supply Distribution, and Correctional Rehabilitation... Excluding Guard and Escort Duties

Exterior view of the Alternative Service Training Center where alternative service personnel receive training for three weeks. / Ministry of Justice

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The alternative service system for conscientious objectors to military service is set to be fully implemented. Those conscripted as alternative service personnel will serve a 36-month residential duty at alternative service institutions such as prisons, with working hours and intensity aligned with active-duty soldiers' standards.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Justice announced that the alternative service system for conscientious objectors based on religious beliefs or conscience will be implemented starting from the 26th.

The alternative service system was introduced two years after the Constitutional Court ruled the Military Service Act Article 5 Paragraph 1 unconstitutional for not recognizing alternative service based on 'religious beliefs' as a type of military service. Until now, conscientious objectors faced criminal punishment, but this system provides a legal way to refuse military service.

In September, the Ministry of Justice formed a preparation team led by the Vice Minister of Justice to review necessary facilities, service management regulations, and work areas for alternative service. Through this, service fields harmonizing constitutional freedom of conscience and military duty were selected, and the difficulty level was set similar to active duty to prevent alternative service from being misused as a means of evading military service.

Alternative service personnel admitted through the 'Alternative Service Review Committee' will receive three weeks of training at the Alternative Service Training Center located in Daejeon, then serve 36 months residential duty at alternative service institutions such as prisons. At the training center, they will undergo basic education required as public officials and job training to improve alternative work performance for three weeks.

In the future, alternative service personnel will perform public service tasks necessary within correctional facilities. Specifically, these include meal management, distribution of supplies, correctional rehabilitation, health and hygiene, and facility management. However, duties involving the use of weapons, facility security, or enforcement of coercive power such as guard duties that infringe on freedom of conscience are excluded. The Ministry of Justice explained that, considering fairness with active duty, tasks involving physical activity but not overly strenuous were selected.

Working hours are based on an 8-hour day according to the daily schedule. Uniforms must be worn during work, and compensation will be paid according to active-duty soldier standards for each service period. Leave, outings, and overnight stays for morale boosting and self-development will be conducted within reasonable limits, and external communication rights such as using mobile phones after work hours on weekdays and on holidays will be guaranteed.

This year, alternative service will begin with 106 personnel across three institutions, including 54 at Mokpo Prison. The Ministry of Justice plans to prepare living quarters from this year through 2022 to accommodate about 1,600 personnel serving at a total of 32 institutions from 2020 to 2023.

Additionally, an alternative service plan equivalent to reserve forces training has been established. Reserve alternative service personnel will perform alternative duties while residing for 3 nights and 4 days at alternative service institutions from the first to the sixth year. A Ministry of Justice official stated, "Through the stable operation of the alternative service system, which is being implemented for the first time in our country, we will strive to establish a system that harmonizes freedom of conscience and military duty and gains public consensus."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.