COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 8 (1) OF THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT

Initial reports of States parties due in 2006

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

[1 April 2007]

CONTENTS

Paragraphs Page

I.INTRODUCTION 1 - 53

II.INFORMATION RELATING TO ARTICLES 1 TO 7OF THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL 6 - 284

Article 1Measures to ensure that children do not take partin hostilities 6 - 74

Article 2Compulsory recruitment 8 - 127

Article 3Voluntary recruitment 13 - 208

Article 4Rules relating to non-governmental armed forces 21 - 2211

Article 5National legislation and international humanitarian law 2311

Article 6Implementation and compliance with the provisions of the Optional Protocol 24 - 2512

Article 7International cooperation 26 - 2812

I. INTRODUCTION

1.The Republic of Korea signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 25 September 1990 and deposited an instrument of ratification on 20 November 1991, under the condition that certain paragraphs in conflict with related domestic laws would be reserved accordingly. The Convention came into force in Korea on 20 December 1991. The Korean Government has since pursued innovations and reforms in various sectors of society to promote the rights of the child, and these national efforts have been and continue to be in line with the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol to the Convention.

2.ThisreportistheinitialreportthattheRepublicofKoreasubmittedtotheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildconcerningtheOptionalProtocoltotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildontheInvolvementofChildreninArmedConflict.ThisreportcontainscompileddataonlegalandinstitutionalmeasuresaswellaspolicydatarelatedtotheimplementationoftheOptionalProtocol,whichwassignedon6September2000andcameintoeffecton24October2004.

3.The Republic of Korea is a State party to the International Convention on Human Rights, which reaffirms a deep conviction in the necessity of basic human rights, human dignity and worth for all people. The Convention, in accordance with article 6, Provision 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, has the same effect as that of related domestic laws. Therefore, most of the contents of the Optional Protocol are reflected in related domestic laws and regulations. The Korean Government continues to strive for the faithful implementation of the Protocol to ensure, protect and promote the rights of the child based on appropriate administrative and legislative measures.

4.The Republic of Korea remains committed to protecting children from involvement in armed conflict by respecting the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Protocol, including those principles related to non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, survival and development, and guarantee to safety, as well as freedom of participation and expression. Major national measures taken to implement the Optional Protocol are as follows:

(a)Theminimumageforvoluntaryenlistmentforactiveserviceinthearmedforceswasraisedfrom17to18yearsbyamendingtherelatedprovisionoftheMilitaryServiceAct;

(b)AnamendmentwasmadetoaspecificprovisionintheAirForceRegulationsthathadformerlystipulatedthatanypersonundertheageof18amongstudentsattheAirForceAerialScienceHighSchoolwouldperformbasicwartimedutiesintimesofwar.Thisamendmenteffectivelypreventsanypersonundertheageof18frombeinginvolvedinarmedconflictunderanycircumstance.

5.The Republic of Korea, in the implementation of domestic laws and administrative and institutional measures, complies with the provisions of the Optional Protocol. Currently, there is no case of any violation of the Protocol. In the future, the Korean Government will continue to improve the enforcement of this Protocol by redressing any inadequacies in close coordination among related government ministries.

II.INFORMATION RELATING TO ARTICLES 1 TO 7 OF THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL

Article 1

Measures to ensure that children do not take part in hostilities

6.Article39,paragraph1,oftheConstitutionoftheRepublicofKoreastipulatesthatallcitizensshallbearthedutyofnationaldefenceundersuchconditionsasprescribedbylaw.ThedutiesofmilitaryservicearegovernedbytheMilitaryServiceAct.UnderthisAct,typesofmilitaryservicearedividedintoactiveservice,reserveservice,selectiveservice,firstmilitiaserviceandsecondmilitiaservice.EverymalenationaloftheRepublicofKoreashallbeenlistedintothefirstmilitiaserviceontheyearheattains18yearsofageandwomenareexcludedfromconscription(MilitaryServiceAct,art.3(para.1),art.8,andart.5(para.1(4)).

7.TheMilitaryServiceActclearlystatesthatnomalenationalundertheageof18maybeenlistedforactiveorreserveservice.

Table 1

Persons subject to military service by age

18 years		Entry into the first militia service (survey of persons subject to conscription examination is be conducted )
		Conscription examination
19 years		Pass	Fail
		Grade 1-4	Grade 5	Grade 6	Grade 7
20 years		Postponement of e nlistment							Second militia service - persons subject to a call-up for wartime labo u r	To be exempted from military service	Final decision is to be made within one year after physical re-examination
				Fulfi lment of obligation for the military service		Active s ervice (24 months) Full-time r eserve s ervice (24 months) Public- i nterest s ervice personnel (26 months) Industrial t echnicians (34 months) Professional research p ersonnel (3 years)
22 years		2-year college
					Reserve s ervice 8  years
24 years		4-year university
26 years		Graduate school, college of oriental medicine , medical department and dental  department
27 years		Medical college, dental college and oriental medical college
28 years
		Persons who avoided military service and persons who are not in Korea
30 years
35 years
			The extension of service in wartime
45 years

Table 2

Definition of military service by type

Activeservice	Personsenlistedinthearmedforcesbyconscriptionorapplication,andofficers,warrantofficers,non-commissionedofficers,andmilitarycadetsappointedtoactiveservicesundertheMilitaryServiceActortheMilitaryPersonnelManagementAct.
Reserveservice	Personswhohavecompletedactiveservice,andpersonswhoaretransferredtoreserveservicesundertheMilitaryServiceAct.
Selectiveservice	Personswhoarejudgedcapableofbeinginactiveserviceasaresultoftheconscriptionexaminationbutnotdeterminedtobeenlistedinactiveserviceduetothesupplyanddemandofthemilitarypersonnel;personswhoareinserviceorcompulsoryengagementaspublic-interestservicepersonnel,public-healthdoctors,doctorsinexclusivechargeofconscriptionexamination,internationalcooperationdoctors,public-servicejudgeadvocates,industrialtechniciansorprofessionalresearchpersonnel,andotherpersonswhohavecompletedsuchserviceorcompulsoryengagement;andpersonstransferredtoselectiveservicesundertheMilitaryServiceAct.
Firstmilitiaservice	Personswhoareunderobligationtoserveinthemilitary,butarenotintheactive,reserve,selectiveorsecondmilitiaserviceundertheMilitaryServiceAct.
Secondmilitiaservice	Personswhoarejudgedincapableofbeinginactiveorselectiveserviceasaresultofconscriptionexaminationorthephysicalexamination,butdeterminedcapableofmilitarysupporttasksbycall-upforwartimelabour,andpersonswhoaretransferredtothesecondmilitiaserviceundertheMilitaryServiceAct.

Table 3

Age distribution by type of military service

Age Type	Total	Under 18	18-19	20-24	Over 25
Total	960 899	-	519 543	357 007	84 349
First militia service	768 635	-	502 793	228 052	37 790
Second militia service	81 122	-	6 423	40 697	34 002
Selective service	111 142	-	10 327	88 258	12 557

Article 2

Compulsory recruitment

8.IntheRepublicofKorea,compulsoryrecruitmentintothearmedforcesofpersonsundertheageof18isprohibitedbylaw.Therelatedprovisionsofthelawareasfollows:

(a)EverymalenationaloftheRepublicofKoreashallbeenlistedintothefirstmilitiaservicewhenheattains18yearsofage;

(b)Everymalenationalobligedtoserveinthemilitaryshallundergotheconscriptionexaminationintheyearthatheattains19yearsofage;

(c)Personsareenlistedintoactiveserviceattheageof19or20(articles8,9and16oftheMilitaryServiceAct);

(d)Onlyapersonaged18oroldercanbeenlistedintoactiveservicebyvoluntaryapplication(article20oftheMilitaryServiceAct).

9.Incalculatingtheagefortheperformanceofmilitaryserviceobligationofapersonwhohassuchobligation,theMilitaryServiceAct,underarticle2,paragraph2,stipulatesthattheterm “from...yearsofage” means “fromthe1stofJanuaryintheyearinwhichthepersonattainsthatage”,andtheterm “to...yearsofage” means “untilthe31stofDecemberintheyearinwhichthepersonattainsthatage”.

10.Theprocessofenlistmentintoactiveserviceisasfollows:

(a)EverymalenationaloftheRepublicofKoreashallbeenlistedintothefirstmilitiaservicewhenheattains18yearsofageinordertofulfilcompulsorymilitaryservice.Thatiswhensuchpersonsmaystarttovoluntarilyapplyforenlistment;

(b)Everymalenationalshallundergoaconscriptionexaminationintheyearthatheturns19.Typesofmilitaryservice(activeservice,selectiveservice,secondmilitiaservice,ormilitaryserviceexemption)arethendeterminedtakingtheclassificationreceivedintheexamination(grade1-7)intoaccount;

(c)Apersonshallbeenlistedintotheactiveserviceintheyearhereceivestheconscriptionexaminationortheyearthereafter(theyearheturns20).

11.Thosewhowillnotbeenlistedinactiveserviceasaresultoftheconscriptionexaminationarecalledintotheselectiveservice(article5oftheMilitaryServiceAct)toserveas “public‑interestservicepersonnel”.Incasesof “specialcaseformilitaryservice”,thosewhoaresubjecttoactiveservicemayworkindesignatedprofessionalfieldsforacertainperiodoftimeinaccordancewiththequalificationstandardsacknowledgedbytheGovernment,insteadofthemilitaryservices.Asfortheselectiveservicesandspecialcasesformilitaryservice,nopersonundertheageof18shallbeenlistedintothearmedforces.

12.Article83oftheMilitaryServiceActstipulatesthatspecialmeasuresmaybetakeninexceptionalcases,suchasduringwartimeoremergencies,orintheeventthatanorderofmilitarymobilizationisissued.However,thereisnoprovisionthatprovidesforanexceptiontoadjusttheenlistmentagetounder18.

Article 3

Voluntary recruitment

13.Underarticle14,paragraph1,oftheMilitaryServiceAct,anypersonoftheageof18oroldermayvoluntarilyapplyforactiveservicesinthearmedforces.Thisprovisionwasamendedon31December2004toadjusttheminimumageforvoluntaryenlistmentfrom17to18,inordertocomplywiththeprovisionsoftheProtocol.

Table 4

Current status of the voluntary enlistment into the army in 2006

18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	Over 26	Total
3 419	31 674	30 088	6 852	1 819	772	417	226	178	75 445
(4.5)	(42.0)	(39.9)	(9.1)	(2.4)	(1.0)	(0.6)	(0.3)	(0.2)	(100.0%)

14.Theprocessofapplication,recruitment,andenlistmentforactiveserviceforeacharmedforcesisasfollows:

(a)FillingouttheapplicationformontheInternet;

(b)Ofapplicants,thefirstroundofselectionsfortechnicalandadministrativeservicemenshallbemadeinconsiderationoftheindividual’squalifications,licences,and/ormajorsasstatedintheapplication;

(c)Thefinalselectionshallbemadebasedonthescreeningprocedure,includinginterviewsandaptitudetests.Noticesofenlistmentshallthenbeissuedtothosewhoareadmitted;

(d)Thepersonsselectedforactiveserviceshallbeenlistedinthearmedforcesonafixeddate(article20ofthe MilitaryServiceAct).

15.ThepostingofadvertisementsonInternetportalsitesandotherwebsites,distributionofrelatedinformationalbookletsandthestreetsidedisplayofpostersareallemployedasmeasurestoencouragevoluntaryenlistment.

16.Militaryserviceofofficers,warrantofficersandnon-commissionedofficersshallbeperformedonthevoluntaryapplicationbasis.Theminimumageforappointmentofnon‑commissionedofficersis18,whiletheminimumageforappointmentofwarrantofficersandofficersis20(article15,paragraph1,oftheMilitaryPersonnelAct).

17.Inordertoprovidetherequisiteeducationforthosewhoseektobecomecommissionedofficersinthearmy,thenavyandtheairforce,eachbranchofthearmedforcesoperatesitsownnationalmilitaryacademy.Additionally,therearetheArmyNursingAcademy,whichtrainsnursingofficers,andtheKoreaThirdMilitaryAcademy,whichhasatwo-yearcurriculumforarmyofficers.

Table 5

Curriculum of Korea Military Academy

Category

Discipline

Credit

Liberal Art

Science and Engineering

Majors

Military history

Korean history

Command psychology

English

Second foreign language

International relations

Economics

Business administration

Law

Information science

Operational analysis

Inorganic engineering

Electronic engineering

Chemical engineering

Civil engineering

Construction engineering

Environmental science

Applied physics

Applied chemistry

30

Department options

Logic(3), Sociology(3), Foreign language (3), Education(3),Methodology (3), International relations(3)

Differential equation (3), Measurement physics(3), Material chemistry (3), Environmental sciences(3),Mechanics(3), Engineering mathematics(3)

6

Two courses per department

Mandatory courses

Military studies

Military thoughts(3), World/Korean War history (5), National security theory (2),North Korean studies (3), Military ethics(3), Command theory (2), Topography/meteorology (3),Information electronic warfare(2), Weapons system(5), Virtual game(2), Military structures(2)

32

Elective courses

English(12), Computing (8), Writing/conversation(5), Philosophy (2), Korean/World history(6),Economics/business administration (5), Foreign language(2), Law(3), Psychology(3),Mathematics(9), Chemistry(5), Physics (6), Electronic engineering (3), Mechanical engineering(3), Civil engineering (3)

75

Physical education

Martial art and other seven subjects

7

Total

150

Table 6

Curriculum of Air Force Academy

Classification	Subject/c redit	Majors (11 fields)
Liberal a rt	Science/ e ngineering
General education 96~97 credits	Culture 96~97 credits	Required	General culture	19/43	20/46	(B.A.) Foreign language International relations Management administration National defen c e (B.S.) Weapons science Computer science (B.E.) Aeronautical engineering Space engineering Mechanical engineering Electronic engineering Industrial engineering
Military culture	8/24
Military culture ‑related	1/2~ 3
Selective	Liberal art ‑related	4/12	3/9
Basic science ‑related	2/6	3/9
Applied science ‑related	3/9	2/6
Major 39 credits	Required	7~10/ 21~30
Selective	3~6/9~18
Optional (α)	(Extra credits)
Physical education (10)	4/10+α
Military science (10)	8/10
Total	62/155~156+α
Credits required for gr aduation: more than 155 credits General e ducation: more than 135 credits Physical education: 10 credits Military science: 10 credits

18.Theportionofsubjectsrelatedtomilitarystudiesatmilitaryacademiesis26percentoftheoverallcurriculumattheKoreaMilitaryAcademy,7percentattheAirForceAcademy,and29.5percentattheNavalAcademy.Withtheaimofstrengtheningcadets’ knowledge,spiritandcharacter,allnationalmilitaryacademiesprovidetheircadetswitharigorouseducationthatwillenablethemtofulfiltheirdutiesandwillensuretheircontinuedself-developmentasmilitaryofficers.

19.UndertheActonEstablishmentofMilitaryAcademiesandtheActonEstablishmentofNursingMilitaryAcademies,personsadmittedintoamilitaryacademymustbeolderthan17andyoungerthan21.TobeadmittedintotheKoreaThirdMilitaryAcademy,personsmustbe19orolder.

20.TheAirForceoperatestheAirForceAerialScienceHighSchooltodulyeducatethosewhoplantobecomeAirForcenon-commissionedofficersspecializinginaerialscience.Inthepast,whentrainingmaynotbeperformedduringwartime,eventhetraineesattheschoolundertheageof18weremadetoperformbasicwartimeduties,suchasbasepatrols.InordertocomplywiththeProtocol,AirForceRegulation15-1(provisionontheoperationofwartimeeducation)wasamendedon1April2005todeletetheprovisionprovidingfortheperformanceofsuchduties.Accordingly,nopersonundertheageof18maybeinvolvedinarmedconflictunderanycircumstance.

Article 4

Rules relating to non-governmental armed forces

21.AssumingthatNorthKorea(theDemocraticPeople’sRepublicofKorea)istobeclassifiedasanindependentnationaccordingtothecurrentinternationallegalorderinwhichbothSouth(theRepublicofKorea)andNorthKoreaaremembercountriesoftheUnitedNations,noissuehasarisenovertheimplementationofrulesrelatingtonon‑governmentalarmedforces,sinceanindependentarmedgroupotherthanthenationalarmedforcesofeachcountrydoesnotexistwithintheterritoryoftheRepublicofKorea.

22.EveniftheNationalSecurityActwasinterpretedtoregardNorthKoreaasanarmedgroup,i.e.ananti-Stateorganization,asinthecaseoftherulingoftheSupremeCourtoftheRepublicofKorea(SupremeCourtRulingNo.92-1148on24July1992),itwouldbeimpossibletotakeanysteportoimplementarelatedprovisionoftheProtocolsincenoactualcontroloftheRepublicofKoreacanbeassertedintheareanorthofthemilitarydemarcationline.ThesecircumstanceswouldberegardedasanimpedimenttotheimplementationoftheProtocol,andnoadditionalmeasureorexecutionmaybetaken.

Article 5

National legislation and international humanitarian law

23.The Republic of Korea is a signatory to numerous international conventions on human rights and humanitarian laws, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Through international cooperation, the Korean Government is making active efforts to contribute to the prevention of activities that conflict with the Protocol and its implementation. Moreover, the country plays its due role in international peacekeeping activities and various international humanitarian efforts by promoting technical cooperation and financial assistance with the aim of realizing the rehabilitation of victimized children and social integration in places beset by armed conflict. Major international conventions to which the Republic of Korea is a signatory are as follows:

(a)TheConventionontheRightsoftheChildwhichcameintoforceon20November1989andwasratifiedon20November1991;

(b)TheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,whichcameintoforceon16December1966andwasratifiedon10April1990;

(c)TheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,whichcameintoforceon16December1966andwasratifiedon10April1990;

(d)TheOptionalProtocoltotheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,whichcameintoforceon16December1966andwasratifiedon10April1990;

(e)TheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,whichcameintoforceon18December1979andwasratifiedon27December1984;

(f)TheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment,whichcameintoforceon10December1984andwasratifiedon9January1995;

(g)The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which came into force on 17 July 1998 and was ratified on 13 November 2002.

Article 6

Implementation and compliance with the provisions of the Optional Protocol

24.At present, there is no situation in the Republic of Korea that would call for the implementation of measures to protect or support Korean children who were demobilized from previous military service. However, in line with the continuing military standoff with North Korea, legislative and administrative measures have been put in place to prevent children from becoming involved in armed conflict. Moreover, consistent efforts are being made to strengthen public awareness campaigns on international laws relating to the promotion of the rights of the child, including the contents of the Protocol.

25.The Republic of Korea has been promoting the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Protocol by implementing other international agreements related to children and by conducting evaluations of such implementations. The Korean Government will continue to improve public awareness of children’s rights as relating to their involvement in armed conflict. Additionally, as part of efforts to prevent children from any direct or indirect harm from armed conflict and to promote their rights, practical training and education germane to children’s rights and international humanitarian law will be provided to parties involved in the international peacekeeping process, including relevant civilians, military personnel, and policemen.

Article 7

International cooperation

26.TheRepublicofKoreatakespartininternationaleffortsaimedatpreventingtheinvolvementofchildreninarmedconflict.Accordingly,theKoreanGovernmentactivelysupportstheSecurityCouncilinitiativesandrelatedresolutionsonprotectingciviliansandchildrenwithinareaswitnessingarmedconflictandsupportstheGeneralAssemblyresolutionsontheprotectionofchildren.

27.Furthermore,theRepublicofKoreahasbeenvoluntarilycontributingfundsworthUS$2.1millionannuallytoavarietyofprojectsaimedatpreventingtheinvolvementofchildreninarmedconflict,includingaUNICEFprojecttoprotectchildreninareasbesetbyarmedhostilitiessuchasinAfghanistan,Sudan,andtheDemocraticRepublicofthe Congo.AsanexecutiveboardmemberofUNICEFforathree-yearperiodbeginningin2006,theRepublicofKoreaplanstoprovidemoreactivesupporttoUNICEFactivitiesrelatedtopreventingchildren’sinvolvementinhostilities.

28.Inadditiontonumerousmultilateralefforts,theKoreanGovernmenthasalsopursuedbilateral-levelactionwiththeintentofpreventingchildren’sinvolvementinarmedconflict.Forathree-yearperiodspanningfrom2004to2006,theRepublicofKoreaprovidedatotalofUS$2.3milliontoareasintheWestBankandtheGazaStripforbuildingschools,purchasingcomputersforclasses,andprovidingvitaminstostudentsatelementary,middle,andhighschools.Suchassistanceisbelievedtohavecontributedtopreventingchildren’sinvolvementinarmedconflictatthesourceandhelpingtoeducatechildrenonthenegativeeffectsofviolence.

-----