Korean Commission Urges Alternate Service For Conscientious Objectors

South Korea's National Human Rights Commission Monday recommended that the Ministry of Defense and the National Assembly find alternate forms of service for conscientious objectors who refuse military conscription. The Korea Times reports that the Ministry of Defense responded negatively to the recommendation. The Chosun Ilbo editorialized against the recommendation, pointing out that last year Korea's Constitutional Court upheld the Military Service Law that punishes conscientious objectors, saying "a recognition of conscientious objection harms the common benefit of national security, a prerequisite to the state's survival and all freedoms." The editorial argues that at least the Commission should draw up criteria to determine when a conscientious objector is genuine.