Page 289 - 2020 Defence White Paper

with public standards through consultation with external experts such as the military
advisory committee of the MND and the headquarters of each service and through
the military human rights advisory lawyer system for division-level units.
Henceforward, the MND will unwaveringly lay the foundation for promoting and
protecting human rights for servicemembers in keeping with the development in the
human rights situation in the ROK.

Institutional Reforms for Probes By providing fundamental solutions
into and Fundamental Resolution of for deaths that occur during military
Unsolved Deaths in the Military service and where bereaved family
members raise doubts on the cause
of death, the MND is striving to resolve the bereaved family members’ suspicions
and regain the trust of the people. Especially on April 11, 2019, the MND began
operation of a government appointed attorney system for bereaved families of deaths
in the military, allowing them to receive legal support in the process of dealing with
the death, and revised the Framework Act on Military Status and Service on May
2020 so as to clarify the legal grounds thereof.
In accordance with the Special Act on Ascertaining the Truth of Military Accidents

Resulting in Death, the MND launched the Presidential Truth Commission on
Deaths in the Military in September 2018 to allow independent committee to carry Chapter 7
out objective investigations on the allegations raised by the bereaved family members
with regard to deaths in the military, thus making efforts to recover damages
sustained by the relevant parties and repair its impaired reputation.
Henceforward, the MND will continue to exert efforts to expand the respon-
sibilities of the nation toward, and ensure the best treatment for, servicemembers
who sacrificed their lives in the course of their service, thereby regaining the trust
18)
of the public in the military and contributing to promotion and protection of human "As all types of the current
military service infringe
rights for servicemembers. upon the conscience of
military service objectors
based on religious beliefs,
etc., as they presuppose
military training, Article 5
2. Introduction of Alternative Service Program for Conscientious (1) of the Military Service
Act, which does not
Objectors to Military Service Based on Religious Beliefs, Etc. stipulate an alternative
service program for military
service objectors under
the freedom of conscience
In accordance with a Constitutional Court decision on June 28, 2018 that Article 5 of pursuant to Article 19 of
the Constitution of the
the Military Service Act runs counter to the Constitution , three agencies–MND, Republic of Korea, runs
18)
counter to the Constitution;
MMA, and Ministry of Justice–promoted on July 9, 2018 the introduction of an thus, it shall be temporarily
applicable until December
alternative service program for conscientious objectors to military service based on 31, 2019."

Chapter 7. Embedding an Inclusive Culture in the Military: With the People, Trusted by the People