Three years in prison, without being a prisoner: Korea's alternative service faces renewed scrutiny

When Lee Hwi-jin underwent his military physical examination, he was classified Grade 4 because of recurrent rheumatism, a condition he said causes inflammation throughout his body when aggravated by physical labor or stress. All able-bodied South Korean men are subject to compulsory military service, while many men classified Grade 4 fulfill their obligation through supplementary service, including as social service personnel who commute to their workplaces. But after being recognized as a cons