PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA GENEVA
The 24th Session of the Human Rights Council <Check against delivery>
Agenda 1 (Decisions and Conclusions)
Adoption of Draft Resolution L.23 (Conscientious Objection to Military Services) Geneva, 27 September 2013
Statement by H.E.Mr. YOO Yeonchul
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea Thank you. Mr. President,
I am taking the floor to make it clear that the Republic of Korea, in principle, can not fully support the draft Resolution L.23 regarding Conscientious Objection to Military Service. This is because the Republic of Korea is a country with compulsory military service under which conscientious objection is not permitted by law. We express both our deep concerns and general objections to what had been put forward before in the original Draft Resolution.
However, my delegation does not wish to block the adoption of this draft Resolution as orally revised today by consensus. So, the Republic of Korea has decided to join a consensus, taking into account the following facts that, inter alia, first, the operative paragraphs contained in the draft Resolution as orally revised allow for large degrees of flexibility for its application.
Secondly, the paragraph 3 of the Preamble of the draft Resolution as orally revised affirms that the freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. We believe that this paragraph and the aforementioned operative paragraphs of the draft Resolution as orally revised reaffirm the legitimacy for the policy of the Republic of Korea in this area.
Last but not least, I’d like to inform our position that the introduction of alternative services for conscientious objectors is a matter of careful consideration, taking into account the security situation of the Republic of Korea. However, I would also like to remind this Council that the Republic of Korea will continue reviewing and researching on this issue.
Thank you. Mr. President. /End/
