Like thousands of other Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to join the military because of their religious beliefs, Lee Seung-ki will serve time in a South Korean prison.

But unlike those before him, Lee will not enter as a convicted criminal. He will be among the first conscientious objectors in South Korea allowed to perform alternative service — jobs like cook, ​janitor and clinic assistant​​ — behind prison walls.

For three years starting Monday, Lee and 63 others will work, eat and sleep in prisons, though they will live apart from the inmates and will be allowed several weeks of leave. And unlike Jehovah’s Witnesses who served prison terms for their beliefs, they will have no criminal record to trail them for the rest of their lives.

Alternative service is a seismic shift in a country that considers conscription crucial to its defense against North Korea, with which it is still technically at war. Military duty is seen as a revered rite of passage for able-bodied young men, who are required to spend 21 months in uniform, usually between the ages of 18 and 28.

South Korea has imprisoned more conscientious objectors than any other country. Its Military Service Act requires up to three years in prison for those who refuse the draft without “justifiable” reasons. For decades, hundreds of young men, almost all of them Jehovah’s Witnesses, were put behind bars each year, usually for 18 months. As inmates, they did much of the same work that Lee will be doing.

“The difference is that the old objectors did it for 18 months wearing a prisoner’s uniform, but we will do it for three years as legalized conscientious objectors,” Lee said. “I am grateful that I am finally given this chance to serve the country without ​violating my conscience.”

A historic 2018 ruling by the Constitutional Court found that imprisoning conscientious objectors was unconstitutional because there were no alternative forms of service, and it ordered the government to create some. In December, parliament passed legislation that allowed for civilian service in prisons “and other areas of public interest” — though for now, at least, prison work is the only option the government is offering.

Human rights groups were critical, saying that the three-year requirement made South Korea’s alternative service the longest in the world.

Conscientious objectors “are confronted with little more than an alternative punishment,” Arnold Fang, an East Asia researcher for Amnesty International, said in December. “Confining people to work in a prison — and for almost twice as long as the typical military service — does not respect their right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.”

Still, for Jehovah’s Witnesses, alternative service is a hard-won victory.

In the decades after the Korean War, when South Korea was ruled by military dictators, male Jehovah’s Witnesses of draft age who refused to serve were dragged into military boot camps and stockades, where they were vilified as “traitors,” beaten and in some cases killed, according to reports from a presidential commission in 2008.

One member of the church, Kim Keun-hyeong, 27, said he knew from an early age that he would end up in prison unless he abandoned his beliefs. His older brother, also a Jehovah’s Witness, was imprisoned for refusing military service. When Kim disobeyed his enlistment order, he, too, was put on trial on charges of dodging the draft.

But his case was suspended in 2013, when he joined 27 others to mount the legal challenge that led to the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

“I respect ​the decision of ​those who join the military,” Kim said. “But I also wanted my decision not to join the military for my religious conviction to be respected, as well.”

After the court’s ruling, officials and lawmakers weighed various forms of civilian service, like working in nursing homes, fire stations or hospitals. Some argued that if alternative service was not long and rigorous enough, young men would try to evade the draft under the pretext of ethical principles, compromising the country’s ability to deter North Korea’s 1.1 million-strong military.

In their prison work, conscientious objectors will be exempt from guard and prisoner-escort duty, which involves carrying firearms. But like soldiers, they will live together in barrackslike facilities.

The question of who should be excused from military service has long been a sensitive topic in South Korea.

“It’s a sacred duty to defend our country, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has to ​carry a weapon,” Noh Woong-rae, a senior lawmaker in the governing party, said this month. He floated the idea that K-pop stars, like members of BTS, should be exempted from the draft.

For decades, top athletes have been excused from military service on the grounds that they enhanced national prestige. K-pop fans say it is unfair that world-class pop stars are denied that privilege.

In a report to parliament this month, the Military Manpower Administration, which oversees the draft, offered a compromise: It would let top K-pop stars postpone their service so that they could perform for a few more years at the peak of their careers.

Such a revision would be a godsend for the oldest member of BTS, Kim Seok-jin, who turns 28 in December and must enlist within the following year.

But South Korea cannot afford too many exemptions. After decades of low birthrates, it will soon lack enough young men to maintain its conscript military at 620,000 members, defense officials say. (The military accepts female volunteers — about 13,000 are now serving — but there has never been serious discussion of drafting women.)

There is still much hostility in South Korea toward men seen as draft dodgers. Yoo Seung-jun, 43, once one of the most popular K-pop singers, saw his career crash and burn in 2002, after he was accused of evading military service by becoming an American citizen. He has since been barred from entering South Korea.

Like thousands of other Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to join the military because of their religious beliefs, Lee Seung-ki will serve time in a South Korean prison.

Like thousands of other Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to join the military because of their religious beliefs, Lee Seung-ki will serve time in a South Korean prison. But unlike those before him, Lee will not enter as a convicted criminal. He will be among the first conscientious objectors in South Korea allowed to perform alternative service — jobs like cook, janitor and clinic assistant — behind prison walls. For three years starting Monday, Lee and 63 others will work, eat and sleep in prisons, though they will live apart from the inmates and will be allowed several weeks of leave. And unlike Jehovah’s Witnesses who served prison terms for their beliefs, they will have no criminal record to trail them for the rest of their lives. Alternative service is a seismic shift in a country that considers conscription crucial to its defense against North Korea, with which it is still technically at war. Military duty is seen as a revered rite of passage for able-bodied young men, who are required to spend 21 months in uniform, usually between the ages of 18 and 28. South Korea has imprisoned more conscientious objectors than any other country. Its Military Service Act requires up to three years in prison for those who refuse the draft without “justifiable” reasons. For decades, hundreds of young men, almost all of them Jehovah’s Witnesses, were put behind bars each year, usually for 18 months. As inmates, they did much of the same work that Lee will be doing. “The difference is that the old objectors did it for 18 months wearing a prisoner’s uniform, but we will do it for three years as legalized conscientious objectors,” Lee said. “I am grateful that I am finally given this chance to serve the country without violating my conscience.” A historic 2018 ruling by the Constitutional Court found that imprisoning conscientious objectors was unconstitutional because there were no alternative forms of service, and it ordered the government to create some. In December, parliament passed legislation that allowed for civilian service in prisons “and other areas of public interest” — though for now, at least, prison work is the only option the government is offering. Human rights groups were critical, saying that the three-year requirement made South Korea’s alternative service the longest in the world. Conscientious objectors “are confronted with little more than an alternative punishment,” Arnold Fang, an East Asia researcher for Amnesty International, said in December. “Confining people to work in a prison — and for almost twice as long as the typical military service — does not respect their right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.” Still, for Jehovah’s Witnesses, alternative service is a hard-won victory. In the decades after the Korean War, when South Korea was ruled by military dictators, male Jehovah’s Witnesses of draft age who refused to serve were dragged into military boot camps and stockades, where they were vilified as “traitors,” beaten and in some cases killed, according to reports from a presidential commission in 2008. One member of the church, Kim Keun-hyeong, 27, said he knew from an early age that he would end up in prison unless he abandoned his beliefs. His older brother, also a Jehovah’s Witness, was imprisoned for refusing military service. When Kim disobeyed his enlistment order, he, too, was put on trial on charges of dodging the draft. But his case was suspended in 2013, when he joined 27 others to mount the legal challenge that led to the Constitutional Court’s ruling. “I respect the decision of those who join the military,” Kim said. “But I also wanted my decision not to join the military for my religious conviction to be respected, as well.” After the court’s ruling, officials and lawmakers weighed various forms of civilian service, like working in nursing homes, fire stations or hospitals. Some argued that if alternative service was not long and rigorous enough, young men would try to evade the draft under the pretext of ethical principles, compromising the country’s ability to deter North Korea’s 1.1 million-strong military. In their prison work, conscientious objectors will be exempt from guard and prisoner-escort duty, which involves carrying firearms. But like soldiers, they will live together in barrackslike facilities. The question of who should be excused from military service has long been a sensitive topic in South Korea. “It’s a sacred duty to defend our country, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has to carry a weapon,” Noh Woong-rae, a senior lawmaker in the governing party, said this month. He floated the idea that K-pop stars, like members of BTS, should be exempted from the draft. For decades, top athletes have been excused from military service on the grounds that they enhanced national prestige. K-pop fans say it is unfair that world-class pop stars are denied that privilege. In a report to parliament this month, the Military Manpower Administration, which oversees the draft, offered a compromise: It would let top K-pop stars postpone their service so that they could perform for a few more years at the peak of their careers. Such a revision would be a godsend for the oldest member of BTS, Kim Seok-jin, who turns 28 in December and must enlist within the following year. But South Korea cannot afford too many exemptions. After decades of low birthrates, it will soon lack enough young men to maintain its conscript military at 620,000 members, defense officials say. (The military accepts female volunteers — about 13,000 are now serving — but there has never been serious discussion of drafting women.) There is still much hostility in South Korea toward men seen as draft dodgers. Yoo Seung-jun, 43, once one of the most popular K-pop singers, saw his career crash and burn in 2002, after he was accused of evading military service by becoming an American citizen. He has since been barred from entering South Korea.

In South Korea, draft resisters still go to prison. But now it’s a job.

It is a popular belief that everything in this world can be used for good, or bad. Well, TikTok, video-sharing social networking service, proved this belief right.

The mobile app, which is usually trolled for its content, has a huge audience all over the world.

Making the best out of that audience, some TikTok users and K-Pop fans decided to start a practical 'prank' on Donald Trump for his recently conducted election rally in Tulsa.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/slow-the-testing-down-please-trumps-solution-to-end-covid-19-307474">Also read| 'Slow the testing down please': Trump's solution to end COVID-19</a>

The planning started after Trump's officials&nbsp;tweeted on urging Americans to use their mobile phone to register for free tickets for his Tulsa campaign rally. So, the&nbsp;K-Pop fans and TikTok users listened to him and booked the ticket.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
WE'REEEE BACKKKKK! 
 
President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> will be in Tulsa, OK on June 19 for a Make America Great Again Rally! 
 
Register for your FREE TICKETS on the "Trump 2020" App or visit the link below. 
 
Text APP to 88022 to download 🇺🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpRallyTulsa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpRallyTulsa</a> <a href="https://t.co/ysjEZqHUTM">https://t.co/ysjEZqHUTM</a>
— Team Trump (#TulsaTrumpRally) (@TeamTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamTrump/status/1271205174611259393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The K-Pop fans shared information about this on TikTok and encouraged their fans to get tickets and then not show up for the rally.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@maryjolaupp/video/6837311838640803078" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="6837311838640803078" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;">
<section><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@maryjolaupp" target="_blank" title="@maryjolaupp">@maryjolaupp</a>

Did you know you can make sure there are empty seats at Trump’s rally? <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/blm" target="_blank" title="blm">##BLM</a>.
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6837311813093165829" target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - maryjolaupp">♬ original sound - maryjolaupp</a></section>
</blockquote>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The information spread like wildfire, and more and more people joined in on this 'prank'.

The massive group managed to book hundreds of tickets. When they collectively did not show up for the rally, more than hundreds seats were left empty in the 19,200 capacity auditorium,&nbsp;BOK Center.

The turnout for the rally was under&nbsp;6,200, which was very less than what was expected.

What the TikTok users asked their followers to do was to register for two free tickets for the rally using their mobile numbers, which was the maximum free tickets allowed from one phone, and then message 'STOP' to avoid getting any alerts or spam from the campaign. This, according to the TikTok users, would "leave him there standing alone on the stage".

The campaign officials, however, have dismissed all such reports, claiming it to be rumours and "fake news".

Trump's campaign manager told the local media houses that the office had already identified and removed these phone numbers, treating them as spam. He believes the underwhelming response was due to the "fake news" spread by left-wing supporters and media houses which made people scared of catching coronavirus.

It is a popular belief that everything in this world can be used for good, or bad. Well, TikTok, video-sharing social networking service, proved this belief right.

It is a popular belief that everything in this world can be used for good, or bad. Well, TikTok, video-sharing social networking service, proved this belief right. The mobile app, which is usually trolled for its content, has a huge audience all over the world. Making the best out of that audience, some TikTok users and K-Pop fans decided to start a practical 'prank' on Donald Trump for his recently conducted election rally in Tulsa. Also read| 'Slow the testing down please': Trump's solution to end COVID-19 The planning started after Trump's officials tweeted on urging Americans to use their mobile phone to register for free tickets for his Tulsa campaign rally. So, the K-Pop fans and TikTok users listened to him and booked the ticket. WE'REEEE BACKKKKK! President @realDonaldTrump will be in Tulsa, OK on June 19 for a Make America Great Again Rally! Register for your FREE TICKETS on the "Trump 2020" App or visit the link below. Text APP to 88022 to download 🇺🇸#TrumpRallyTulsa https://t.co/ysjEZqHUTM — Team Trump (#TulsaTrumpRally) (@TeamTrump) June 11, 2020 × The K-Pop fans shared information about this on TikTok and encouraged their fans to get tickets and then not show up for the rally. @maryjolaupp Did you know you can make sure there are empty seats at Trump’s rally? ##BLM. ♬ original sound - maryjolaupp × The information spread like wildfire, and more and more people joined in on this 'prank'. The massive group managed to book hundreds of tickets. When they collectively did not show up for the rally, more than hundreds seats were left empty in the 19,200 capacity auditorium, BOK Center. The turnout for the rally was under 6,200, which was very less than what was expected. What the TikTok users asked their followers to do was to register for two free tickets for the rally using their mobile numbers, which was the maximum free tickets allowed from one phone, and then message 'STOP' to avoid getting any alerts or spam from the campaign. This, according to the TikTok users, would "leave him there standing alone on the stage". The campaign officials, however, have dismissed all such reports, claiming it to be rumours and "fake news". Trump's campaign manager told the local media houses that the office had already identified and removed these phone numbers, treating them as spam. He believes the underwhelming response was due to the "fake news" spread by left-wing supporters and media houses which made people scared of catching coronavirus.

K-Pop fans and TikTok users played Trump; hundreds of seats remain empty in Tulsa rally

This is not a drill! K-pop sensation BTS is all set to host a 'special online streaming' party this weekend and the ARMY is invited! 
 
The virtual BTS fest, titled Bang Bang Con will be held on April 18 and 19 and will feature a marathon of concert footage before the pandemic hit the world. 
 
Starting at 2 am UTC (11 am in Korea) this Saturday, the first day’s line-up includes video from BTS’s 2015 HYYH live concert, 2016’s HYYH Epilogue, 2014’s Red Bullet Live trilogy and 2016’s 3rd Muster. 
 
The cyber fest will resume at the same time on April 19, with footage from 2017’s Wings Tour live in Seoul, Wings Tour: The Final, 2018’s 4th Muster and 2018’s Love Yourself Seoul concert. 
 
Bang Bang Con will be available to watch for free on the band’s YouTube channel, BANGTANTV. 
 
Just last month, the band had to call off their world tour due to the pandemic. The marathon is an effort by the K-pop artists to continue entertaining their fans during the lockdown. 
 
In March, the band took part in James Corden’s Homefest special which also featured Billie Eilish, Andrea Bocelli, Dua Lipa and more.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

This is not a drill! K-pop sensation BTS is all set to host a 'special online streaming' party this weekend and the ARMY is invited! The virtual BTS fest, titled Bang Bang Con will be held on April 18 and 19 and will feature a marathon of concert footage before the pandemic hit the world.

This is not a drill! K-pop sensation BTS is all set to host a 'special online streaming' party this weekend and the ARMY is invited! The virtual BTS fest, titled Bang Bang Con will be held on April 18 and 19 and will feature a marathon of concert footage before the pandemic hit the world. Starting at 2 am UTC (11 am in Korea) this Saturday, the first day’s line-up includes video from BTS’s 2015 HYYH live concert, 2016’s HYYH Epilogue, 2014’s Red Bullet Live trilogy and 2016’s 3rd Muster. The cyber fest will resume at the same time on April 19, with footage from 2017’s Wings Tour live in Seoul, Wings Tour: The Final, 2018’s 4th Muster and 2018’s Love Yourself Seoul concert. Bang Bang Con will be available to watch for free on the band’s YouTube channel, BANGTANTV. Just last month, the band had to call off their world tour due to the pandemic. The marathon is an effort by the K-pop artists to continue entertaining their fans during the lockdown. In March, the band took part in James Corden’s Homefest special which also featured Billie Eilish, Andrea Bocelli, Dua Lipa and more.

BTS will host concert marathon for free on YouTube this weekend

A former member of South Korea's top <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/k-pop-singer-decries-cyber-bullying-after-death-of-activist-star-sulli-256365">K-pop </a>girl group was found dead on Sunday, the country's Yonhap news agency reported citing police.

The body of Goo Hara, 28, was discovered at her home in southern Seoul, Yonhap said.

Police were not immediately available for comment.

Goo, better known as Hara in other parts of Asia, had spoken out against cyberbullying. In June, a month after she was found unconscious at her home and hospitalised, she said it was difficult to overcome depression and pleaded for the positive comment on social media.

She debuted with the five-member Kara in 2008. It was one of the early girl groups that helped fan the global K-pop wave, building large fan bases in Japan, China and other countries.

After a deal with a South Korean management agency was terminated, Goo launched a career as a solo artist in Japan and held a concert there this month.

Another K-pop star, Sulli, a former member of girl group f(x), who was a close friend of Goo's and had also spoken out against cyberbullying, also died in October.

A former member of South Korea's top K-pop girl group was found dead on Sunday, the country's Yonhap news agency reported citing police. The body of Goo Hara, 28, was discovered at her home in southern Seoul, Yonhap said.

A former member of South Korea's top K-pop girl group was found dead on Sunday, the country's Yonhap news agency reported citing police. The body of Goo Hara, 28, was discovered at her home in southern Seoul, Yonhap said. Police were not immediately available for comment. Goo, better known as Hara in other parts of Asia, had spoken out against cyberbullying. In June, a month after she was found unconscious at her home and hospitalised, she said it was difficult to overcome depression and pleaded for the positive comment on social media. She debuted with the five-member Kara in 2008. It was one of the early girl groups that helped fan the global K-pop wave, building large fan bases in Japan, China and other countries. After a deal with a South Korean management agency was terminated, Goo launched a career as a solo artist in Japan and held a concert there this month. Another K-pop star, Sulli, a former member of girl group f(x), who was a close friend of Goo's and had also spoken out against cyberbullying, also died in October.

Ex-member of K-pop girl group, singer Goo Hara found dead: State media

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