Conscientious objector on alternative service committed sexual offenses, arrested and indicted

A man in his 20s who was on alternative service due to conscientious objection based on religious beliefs has been brought to court for committing sexual offenses against minors.

On the 26th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office announced that they had arrested and indicted a man, referred to as A, on charges of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Adolescents from Sexual Abuse.

According to the prosecution, A is accused of sending illegal pornographic materials, including images of his body and videos of lewd acts, to numerous minors from November 2022 to recently. A, a Jehovah's Witness, was recognized for conscientious objection based on his religious beliefs and had been serving alternative service at Jinju Prison since November 2023. Particularly shocking is the fact that he continued these crimes using a mobile phone while in the prison living quarters.

Charges of sending illegal pornographic materials

Dozens of victims, crimes continued within the prison

This case came to light after a report from a victim. The Cyber Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency initiated an investigation after receiving the report and urgently arrested A in the prison living quarters on the 4th.

Subsequently, on the 6th, they obtained an arrest warrant from the court, and on the 13th, he was transferred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office under arrest.

During the investigation, it was revealed that there were at least dozens of victims.

Jehovah's Witnesses are prohibited by their doctrine from serving in the military while carrying weapons, and members have historically refused military service based on their religious beliefs.

In 2018, the Constitutional Court made a decision of unconstitutionality regarding the Military Service Act, which did not define alternative service based on religious beliefs, leading to changes. As a result, since 2020, the defense authorities have allowed conscientious objectors who pass belief validation and other screenings to serve 36 months of alternative service in prisons.

Image source: Data photos to assist understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank