Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SEOUL833
2008-04-25 09:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
ROK NOT ABLE TO SPONSOR PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0833 1160909 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 250909Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9539 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4132 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 8685 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 4284 RHMFISS/COMUSFK SEOUL KOR RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR RUACAAA/COMUSKOREA INTEL SEOUL KOR RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD/ISA/EAP//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 000833
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: AFTER KOREAN REUNIFICATION
TAGS: PHUM PREL KS EUN
SUBJECT: ROK NOT ABLE TO SPONSOR PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE
DECLARATION
REF: STATE 40380
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4(b/d)
(C) On April 18 poloff delivered reftel points to MOFAT's
Jang Hyun-cheol, Deputy Director of the Human Rights
Division. Jang said that he would need to check with the
Ministry of Defense (MND) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ)
on two issues that might prevent Korea from sponsoring this
declaration. On April 25, Deputy Director Jang told us that
Korea would not be able to sponsor the declaration because of
MND's concern that conscientious objectors who are required
to serve jail time in Korea would be in opposition to the
declaration. (NOTE: Korea has a system of compulsory
military service for 24 months for all able-bodied males.
Conscientious objectors can be sentenced to jail time if they
choose not to fulfill their military obligation. END NOTE).
Although Jang had not received an official response from the
MOJ, he said that they were also likely to raise an objection
to supporting the declaration because of Korea's National
Security Law (NSL) that prohibits South Koreans from engaging
in actions that support North Korea. Violation of the NSL
can also result in a jail sentence which would be in conflict
with the tenets of the Declaration on Conscientious
Objectors, Jang said.
VERSHBOW
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: AFTER KOREAN REUNIFICATION
TAGS: PHUM PREL KS EUN
SUBJECT: ROK NOT ABLE TO SPONSOR PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE
DECLARATION
REF: STATE 40380
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4(b/d)
(C) On April 18 poloff delivered reftel points to MOFAT's
Jang Hyun-cheol, Deputy Director of the Human Rights
Division. Jang said that he would need to check with the
Ministry of Defense (MND) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ)
on two issues that might prevent Korea from sponsoring this
declaration. On April 25, Deputy Director Jang told us that
Korea would not be able to sponsor the declaration because of
MND's concern that conscientious objectors who are required
to serve jail time in Korea would be in opposition to the
declaration. (NOTE: Korea has a system of compulsory
military service for 24 months for all able-bodied males.
Conscientious objectors can be sentenced to jail time if they
choose not to fulfill their military obligation. END NOTE).
Although Jang had not received an official response from the
MOJ, he said that they were also likely to raise an objection
to supporting the declaration because of Korea's National
Security Law (NSL) that prohibits South Koreans from engaging
in actions that support North Korea. Violation of the NSL
can also result in a jail sentence which would be in conflict
with the tenets of the Declaration on Conscientious
Objectors, Jang said.
VERSHBOW