Over 1,400 Individuals Recognized for Alternative Service in One Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been revealed that 1,419 people who refused military service due to religious or personal beliefs were recognized for alternative service in the past year.

According to the annual report published by the Military Manpower Administration's Alternative Service Review Committee on the 13th, from June 30 of last year, when the acceptance of alternative service enrollment applications began, until June 30 of this year, 2,173 people applied for alternative service enrollment.

Among those whose reviews were completed, four people refused military service due to personal beliefs rather than religious reasons, and the rest were all conscientious objectors based on religious beliefs.

Among those recognized as alternative service personnel, 805 were automatically enrolled after being previously reported for draft evasion but were acquitted, and the remaining 614 were enrolled through the second-stage review by the Alternative Service Review Committee. To this end, the Alternative Service Review Committee held 102 preliminary meetings and 22 plenary sessions over the past year.

An official from the Alternative Service Review Committee stated, "We will operate and develop the alternative service system so that the values of human rights protection and sincere military service can be harmonized."

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