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S. Korea jails hundreds for refusing military
The young dentist was uncuffed and led to his seat in the courtroom
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he young dentist was uncuffed and led to his seat inthe courtroom. A few rows back, his mother watched motionlessly, her handsgently clasped together as if in prayer.
Jeon Seong-jin is being punished for a crime that is not a crime at all in most of the world. A Jehovah's Witness, he has refused to become a soldier in South Korea, where all able-bodied male citizens are required to serve about 21 months in the army.
More than 660 conscientious objectors have been jailed each year in South Korea, on average, from 2004 to 2012, far more than any other country. Eritrea is second, but imprisoned only about 50 conscientious objectors last year, according to the official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. Members of the religion refuse military service because they believe the Bible forbids warfare. ' AP
Even where conscription still exists, governments often allow conscientious objectors to serve their countries without bearing arms, but not in South Korea. Jeon began his 18-month sentence in 2012 and expects to be released this March.
