Human Rights Commissioner Song Doohwan: "Alternative Service System Needs Improvement to Meet International Human Rights Standards"

Song Doo-hwan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, is meeting with representatives of the Jehovah's Witnesses Korea Branch on the 23rd to hear their opinions on the need to improve the alternative service system.
[Photo by National Human Rights Commission]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 23rd, Song Doo-hwan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, met with representatives from the Jehovah's Witnesses Korea Branch at the Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, to hear their opinions on the need to improve the alternative military service system and expressed agreement on its necessity.

The Jehovah's Witnesses Korea Branch conveyed that the current alternative military service period of 36 months is excessively long compared to active duty, and since it is operated only in a dormitory form, improvements are needed, the Human Rights Commission reported. It was also pointed out that the alternative service is limited to correctional fields such as prisons and detention centers, and there are cases of human rights violations during service.

Chairperson Song stated, "The issue of conscientious objection to military service has been one of the human rights issues that the Human Rights Commission has continuously paid attention to, and we have repeatedly suggested the need to introduce an alternative military service system. Although the Military Service Act was amended and the alternative service system was introduced following the 2018 Constitutional Court decision, I deeply agree on the necessity to improve the system to comply with international human rights standards, and the Human Rights Commission will also play the necessary role."

The Human Rights Commission recommended the introduction of the alternative military service system in 2005 and has continuously pointed out issues related to alternative service and conscientious objection by expressing opinions on related bills. In June of this year, it visited Cheonan Prison to observe the service site of alternative service personnel, and is currently investigating a petition demanding improvements to the alternative military service system.

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