Seoul's Defense Ministry announced it will allow men who object to the military draft on religious grounds to perform community service instead.

Human rights groups praised the decision saying it will allow the hundreds of men who opt for prison time each year to avoid the draft to serve their country through other forms of public service.

Conservative civic groups, however, take issue with the proposal. They say it will shake the core of the country's armed forces, which would be dangerous as the two Koreas are still technically at war.

On average, over 750 men refuse the draft each year and nearly all of them cite religious beliefs as the reason.

Under current law, able-bodied men must serve two years in the military. And that too, is set to change as the government has decided to shorten the length of service to 18 months by year 2014.

This would make the mainstream soldier's service half as long as the 36-month community service designed for conscientious objectors.

The Defense Ministry plans to hold hearings and conduct surveys before revising any laws governing military service, which could happen as early as next year.

Defense officials stress that the proposed law does not aim to acknowledge the right to refuse military duty but rather to allow an alternative form of service.

Arirang News