South Korea offers alternative to military conscription, East Asia News & Top Stories


Source: straitstimes.com straitstimes.com

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SEOUL (AFP) - As a devout Jehovah's Witness Jang Kyung-jin was ready to be jailed rather than serve in South Korea's military. After a landmark court ruling he will be heading for prison on Monday (Nov 2) - but as a civilian administrator, not a convict. The South remains technically at war with the North and maintains a compulsory conscription system to defend itself against Pyongyang's 1.2 million-strong army. All able-bodied South Korean men are obliged to serve for 18 months before they turn 30, in a rite of passage that - while sometimes resented - can form lifelong bonds...