Since the Supreme Court made its decision on November 1 that the refusal of military service on the grounds of religious belief is not an object for punishment, there has been a drastically increased number of inquiries about how to become a Jehovah’s Witness.
On internet portal sites including Naver and Daum, one can notice frequent questions on this subject, for example, “How do you become a Jehovah’s Witness?” “I don’t want to be drafted into army service. I want to join Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
On November 6, I called a regional office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Seoul, and asked if it would be possible to join in order to refuse military duty. The answer was, “Recently we’re getting some inquiries on this. But it takes at least one or two years to become a believer. Do you want to check our website, if I provide the address?”
As the Supreme Court’s decision has influenced more young men to consider evading military duty, there are worries in some church circles and civil organizations. On November 6, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK Hapdong; moderator: Rev. Lee Seung-hui) released a statement expressing strong concern over the Supreme Court’s decision on religious objection to military duty.
PCK Hapdong stated, “Conscience is an abstract term, not a clear legal standard, and therefore does not lend itself to objectivity in the review process. Once the objection to military duty is recognized, under our circumstances of national security, it will only lower the soldiers’ spirits and arouse social conflict. We seriously worry that the Supreme Court’s decision showing preference towards a specific religious group has harmed the public values referred to in the Constitution.”
On the same day, the Just Military Human Rights Institute held a press conference at the National Assembly Building in Yeouido, Seoul, and criticized, “While the National Assembly has been preparing to legislate the alternative service act by the year 2020, the Supreme Court has exceeded its power and made the decision for the National Assembly.” Institute Director Kim Yeong-gil (fourth from left) said, “The Supreme Court ignored the people’s sentiment on this legal matter, and favored a certain religious group. This in fact is anti-constitutional, and a violation of the constitutional principle of the separation of politics and religion. The National Assembly should submit an impeachment bill against the Supreme Court judges who ignored the Constitution and other laws, and divided people’s opinion.”
Reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by intern reporter Zysu Song
Original Article in Korean:
‘종교적 병역거부’ 대법원 무죄 판결 이후 ‘여호와의증인 입교’ 문의 급증: 예장합동 성명서 발표
Related Article:
Amid Calls of “Unfair,” Supreme Court Overturns 14-year-old Precedent
Supreme Court Decision Leads to More Inquiries About Joining Jehovah’s Witnesses
2018-11-08 10:04
