South Korea has more citizens imprisoned for conscientious objection to military service than any other nation in the world. Over 700 are currently serving 18 month terms. Every year, men face the brutal choice to join the military complex or follow their conscience, facing social ostracism and imprisonment. A history of Japanese imperialism, a civil war sparked by the United States and Soviet jousting. Three decades of military dictatorship. Pervasive United States military presence. Violent destruction of farming villages for the expansion of U.S. bases. A National Security Act that restricts freedom of speech and opposition to military duty. Korea has recently begun to openly face its own contradictions of "democracy" and a deeply ingrained militarization.
seoulidarity.net
in korean - withoutwar.org
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