Korean religious leaders lament decision on conscientious objectors

Published: 2004-07-23

SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) -- Christian leaders in South Korea are lamenting a Supreme Court decision that makes illegal conscientious objection to mandatory military service. The July 15 decision upheld the conviction of a conscientious objector for violating the military conscription law, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. Father John Choi Boo-sik, a member of the Seoul Archdiocese's Committee for Justice and Peace, told UCA News July 22, "Since the church opposes all wars and most values human dignity, I believe the individual's rights must be protected ahead of any kind of collective benefit." The convicted man, a 23-year-old Jehovah's Witness identified only by the surname Choi, had been sentenced to 18 months in jail by lower courts for refusing to obey the draft order. Choi appealed to the Supreme Court in April after a district and appellate court sentenced him for refusing to comply with a conscription summons in November 2001.

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