Military Pressures Foundation to Fire Conscientious Objector; Activists Cry Rights Violation

South Korean authorities are pressuring a peace foundation to dismiss an activist who has declared conscientious objection, sparking backlash from civic groups. The Han-Vietnam Peace Foundation received official notices from the Seoul Military Manpower Administration demanding the dismissal of activist Dubu (Kim Min-hyung), who declared 'complete conscientious objection' while calling for improvements to the alternative service system.

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The Military Manpower Administration's demand for dismissal is an infringement on human rights targeting conscience and the right to survival.

The foundation argues that this pressure constitutes a human rights violation targeting conscience and the right to survival. They have filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission, urging it to recommend amendments to the relevant law. This is not the first time the commission has addressed the issue; it previously recommended legal reforms in 2004 and 2016.

The activist, Dubu, highlighted that the Military Manpower Administration's demand violates the principle of presumption of innocence. Although investigated and transferred for draft evasion charges in April, Dubu has not yet faced trial. "The court has not yet told me I am guilty," Dubu stated, emphasizing that the administration's demand for dismissal constitutes excessive and overlapping punishment, separate from the ongoing legal process.

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The court has not yet told me I am guilty. Yet, the Military Manpower Administration's demand for dismissal is excessive and overlapping punishment, separate from the criminal procedure.

Civic groups also pointed to the arbitrary nature of the administration's demands. Lee Mi-hyeon, co-director of the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, noted that when a member of their organization declared conscientious objection in 2016 and served jail time, the Military Manpower Administration did not demand their dismissal. This, she argued, sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the independence and autonomy of civic organizations and threatens democracy.

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When a member of our organization declared conscientious objection in 2016 and served jail time, the Military Manpower Administration did not demand their dismissal. This anachronistic and principled administration is actually happening, which undermines the independence and autonomy of civic groups, and it will be a precedent that threatens democracy.

The Han-Vietnam Peace Foundation has refused to dismiss Dubu, asserting their right to determine their own values. They are demanding that the Human Rights Commission declare the administration's actions an infringement on Dubu's freedom and the foundation's right to association. They also seek a renewed recommendation for the revision or abolition of the conscription law provisions that exclude conscientious objectors from society. Dubu's legal representative stated they are prepared to pursue legal action, including constitutional appeals, if the administration pursues charges against the foundation.

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We decide what values to uphold. The Han-Vietnam Peace Foundation has not dismissed Dubu.