South Korean Military Service: Jehovah’s Witness Prisoners Increase, Conscientious Objectors Refuse To Take Up Arms Even During War With North Korea

In South Korea, men are required to serve a minimum of 21 months in the military.

Kim Ji-gwan, a South Korean citizen, decided to go to jail rather than be drafted into the South Korean armed forces.

Kim explained, "It is very simple. Jesus commanded all his followers to love your neighbor."

Unfortunately, South Korean military service in not exempt for those who can't serve due to their religion.

According to Yahoo News, the UN Human Rights Council reports that 669 of 723 conscientious objects in jail worldwide as of late November are South Korean.

Almost all of these prisoner's are reportedly Jehovah's Witnesses, an evangelical Christian sect whose members refuse to serve because they say that the Bible teaches people to "love one another."

Since the Korean War ended in 1953, 17,549 Jehovah's Witnesses have gone to jail in South Korea for their beliefs.

Although draftees with minor disabilities or special skills are allowed to leave the South Korean military service after completing one month's basic training, Jehovah's Witnesses would refuse this option even if it were available to them.

It has been reported that efforts to change the law so that conscientious objectors can choose an alternative form of service have all failed.

South Korea reportedly has 639,000 troops. They would be confronting nearly twice as many North Koreans under arms, which keeps sympathy towards conscientious objectors at an all time low.

Kim Ji-gwan explains that his 18 months in prison is nothing compared to what his father, Kim Se-jung, had to go through.

Se-jung was jailed three times for a total of four years under the rule that those refusing military service remain eligible for the draft upon release if sentenced to less than 18 months.

Those who refuse South Korean military service also face problems when they get out of jail because they are seen as convicted felons. They struggle to find jobs and live a normal life.

Even with these difficulties, Kim states that he will never take up arms.