A South Korean military court has sentenced a 22-year-old Seventh-day Adventist to a three-year prison term for refusing to bear arms in his military service training.
Young-chul Yoon, who was sentenced March 29, was called up for mandatory military instruction two years into his theology training at Sahmyook University, an Adventist school in Seoul. According to Adventist officials, Yoon is just one of many thousands of conscientious objectors in South Korea who are forced to choose between compromising their moral convictions or serving time in prison.

South Korea’s military conscription law makes no provisions for conscientious objectors—those who reject military service on the basis of their religious or ethical beliefs. There are an estimated 10,000 conscientious objectors in South Korea who have served time in prison. More than 500 young men, the majority of them Jehovah’s Witnesses, are sent to prison each year.

Despite these figures, human rights advocates point to recent signs that the status of conscientious objectors in South Korea may soon be reviewed. In late January, Senior Judge Park Si-hwan of the Seoul District Court sent Section 88 of the Military Service Law to the Constitutional Court for review. The court action was taken in response to a petition by 21-year-old Kyung-su Lee, a conscientious objector and Jehovah’s Witness, who had spent 40 days in prison.

The district court judge said there is “high possibility” that parts of the military service law violates basic rights guaranteed under the Constitution, especially the right to freedom of conscience, thought, and religion. Although affirming the necessity of military service, the judge added: “On the other hand, the freedom of thought and conscience is also recognized as a core basic right, which forms the basis of free and democratic order, and freedom of religion is also an important basic right, which is recognized by all free democratic states.” Noting that many other countries recognize conscientious objectors as special cases under the law, the judge said it was time for Korea to consider doing the same.

Under South Korean law, all male youths are required to perform military service for an average of 26 months. Civilian forms of service are available only to those with health problems, while those with serious disabilities are excused.