Lawyers for Kim Min-hyung (activity name Dubu), a peace activist indicted for refusing to enlist despite receiving a draft notice, argued for an acquittal in the first trial, stating that the refusal stemmed from "the conscience of pacifism."

During the first hearing for charges of violating the Military Service Act held before Judge Lee Ho-sun of Criminal Division 3 at the Seoul Central District Court on the 10th, Kim's legal representatives stated, "We acknowledge the fact that he did not enlist, but we deny that there was no justifiable reason under the Military Service Act."

Kim, a peace activist with the Korea-Vietnam Peace Foundation, was indicted on charges of failing to enlist without a justifiable reason after receiving a draft notice last January.

Kim's side argued, "We judge the alternative service system to be unconstitutional and take the position that we cannot perform alternative service according to our conscience," adding, "This is an act that falls within the scope of freedom of conscience guaranteed by the Constitution and constitutes a justifiable reason under the Military Service Act."

When the court asked what specific conscience motivated the act, Kim replied, "It is based on the conscience of anti-war pacifism."

Kim's side continued, "The current alternative service requires individuals to serve under the Military Manpower Administration," arguing, "The service period is long and the areas of service are limited to correctional facilities, making it an unconstitutional system."

The court decided to proceed with defendant questioning and other procedures on November 12.

(Photo: Yonhap News)