As i understand it (which is not always an accurate understanding), the issue of Conscientious Objection is a hot topic in Korea. Right now every healthy male is required to serve in the military for 24 months (this will be reduced to 18 months in 2014). Technically South Korea is still at war with North Korea and there is only a cease fire. Anyway. Today on the front page of the newspaper there is an article discussing how, and i quote, "The government decided Tuesday to allow conscientious objectors against mandatory military service to undertake alternative services such as caring for the disabled, instead of imprisoning them."
Up until this point any male who did not want to serve in the military was sent to prison. This is an important step for the government as they move to legally implement alternative services. In one of my discussion classes we discussed this issue and the class was not all in agreement and it remains a hot topic. Please remember Korea as this issue is not solved, and there are still many discussions to come.
Shalom,
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Looks like conscription may be on the ropes in South Korea! Yes, they are talking about alternative service, but at the same time they crack down on freedom of speech by banning many anti-draft websites!
Would you be willing to spread the word about www.draftresistance.org? It's a site dedicated to shattering the myths surrounding the selective slavery system and building mass civil disobedience to stop the draft before it starts!
Our banner on a website, printing and posting the anti-draft flyer or just telling friends would help.
Thanks!
Scott Kohlhaas
PS. When it comes to conscription, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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