Clean conscience: South Korea offers alternative to conscription

All able-bodied South Korean men are obliged to serve for 18 months before they turn 30. SEOUL: 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 - but as a civilian administrator, not a convict.

But over the decades tens of thousands of conscientious objectors, many of them Jehovah's Witnesses, have been willing to pay that price - and a prison sentence of 18 months or more - to adhere to their religious or moral beliefs."As a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, I believe it is my duty to interpret the Bible as it is written and follow the teachings of Jesus," Jang, a father of three, told AFP.

For years the idea of a civilian alternative to military service for conscientious objectors was highly controversial.But current President Moon Jae-in - who served in the special forces when he was a conscript in the 1970s - promised to create one during his 2017 election campaign. They will be entitled to the same pay as regular conscripts and the justice ministry described the scheme as a"first step towards the balance of conscience and military duty".Aside from Olympic medallists and Asian Games champions, along with the winners of some international classical musical competitions, the military obligation applies to all healthy men, and can mean career interruptions and delays.

The move prompted widespread public fury and authorities swiftly banned him from entering the country, a measure that remains in place to this day. But in the South it is their refusal to serve in uniform or pledge allegiance to a national flag that most marks them out.

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