this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2024
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Not The Onion

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[–] [email protected] 78 points 4 months ago (20 children)

"You say you are a concientious objector but how do you explain all the violence you commit in this video game?"

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[–] [email protected] 50 points 4 months ago (7 children)

This seems incredibly stupid on its face. Someone please give me context that makes it make sense.

[–] [email protected] 77 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

So, as far as I can see the ruling was that the guy hadn't sufficiently proved through his actions (e.g. protesting, joining any anti-war movements or in this case even expressing this view to anyone beforehand) that he was an actual conscientious objector and not just a chancer who didn't want to serve.

The fact that he played PUBG was brought up as part of the suggestion that he was just having a go but wasn't the whole case against him. Indeed tbh I can't really see anything suggesting it was a particularly important consideration compared to the lack of positive evidence of conscientious objection but obviously it's the bit that's going to get clicks.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 4 months ago (8 children)

Can't hold a moral stance without shouting it at everyone around you!

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, the comments show who read the article and who didn't. It's really not hard to see that the court was looking for a history of conscientious objection and didn't find any proof, instead finding arguments to the contrary.

[–] themeatbridge 39 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (8 children)

Hang on, because I'm morally opposed to war and violence, but I'm not out attending rallies or protests. While my arthritic old body isn't what anyone wants in battle, if I were healthy, and we had a draft, I'd be a conscientious objector with no history of activism.

Would South Korea put me in jail?

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[–] Badeendje 11 points 4 months ago (2 children)

It is stupid. The man says he is .orally opposed to the military, but the courts rules that playing a computer game like PUBG makes that a lie.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (1 children)

south Korea is a fascist police state that will use stupid excuses to force men to die for the government.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (5 children)

Kpop stans in shambles but you're absolutely right

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (2 children)

South Korean government isn't exactly a bastion of democracy and sensibility. It's a fascist hell hole.

[–] NewNewAccount 14 points 4 months ago (3 children)

South Korea is considered a “full democracy” and ranks higher than the US on The Economist Democracy Index.

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[–] Candelestine 6 points 4 months ago (2 children)

You don't know what fascism is.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

According to the article, the court argued that the guy refusing mandatory service for conscientious reasons enjoys playing violent games such as PUBG, calling the reasons given for abstaining from military service in question

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago (3 children)

Avoiding political opinions on South Korea, the court's claim would be that because he likes shooting guns at other people in games, his objection to military service has no ground to stand on.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 4 months ago

"A paintball player? Clearly you must be a gung-ho militarist who loves war!"

"Have a BDSM kink? You go around kidnapping and torturing people, don't you?"

"So you like reading murder mysteries, huh? Seems like you're a murderer yourself, then!"

—Some South Korean judge, probably.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Which is fucking dumb beyond measure and logically, spiritually, and sensibly makes no fucking sense. Military service isn't a god damn video game

[–] Jerb322 7 points 4 months ago

"I miss Call of Duty...."

"We are IN Call of Duty, and it SUCKS!"

[–] [email protected] 14 points 4 months ago

By that logic, I should be their divine leader because I play RTS games.

[–] stoly 7 points 4 months ago

One presumes that there is a certain standard in Korea to establish that you are a CO. Compelled military service makes it harder to avoid this. It seems that the Korean courts believe that liking violent video games means you're a violent person. It's a terrible ruling, but it frankly doesn't surprise me given the context.

[–] Zehzin 42 points 4 months ago (1 children)

We're finally imprisoning gamers 🙏

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago

I always knew my sonic 3 play through would bring me here.

[–] [email protected] 37 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I can't believe this isn't the onion

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago

Goddamn, the actual article is even more absurd than the title.

[–] Veneroso 25 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Man I can't wait to get charged with adultery when the court finds out how much porn I watch.

[–] WoahWoah 21 points 4 months ago

If you live in the United States, depending on the state, you might get your wish.

[–] yesman 15 points 4 months ago

but a lower court dismissed this partially because he loves playing PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. (emphasis mine)

I suspect that "partially" is working harder than John Henry in this sentance.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 4 months ago

That's fucking stupid. They should be jailing him for playing a shitty game instead.

[–] taanegl 13 points 4 months ago

Thank the moronic mother's who clutch their pearls regarding "violent videogames". Modern psychiatry has concluded with finality that being violent, or even pro-violence, has nothing to do with videogames. But there are idiots who need to sell books to other idiots, because science denounces the notion.

The human brain registers a fake scenario and you suspend your disbelief. Juxtaposed with actual violence, with physical violence, gun violence, etc, they are not the same.

In the same vein, if anyone has watched a violent movie, they are then also pro-violence?

The answer is no.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

The Supreme Court of Korea is a joke and just lost any credability it may have once had.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

In my country, conscientious objectors can instead opt to work for charity for the duration of their service I believe. Much better solution than throwing service dodgers in jail. This also proves you're not doing it just to avoid service.

For an example I know someone who couldn't serve in the military for health reasons, but instead worked for the food bank for 8 months. The pay is shit, but for some people it's an option. And if you have a young child, you're exempt from service for a while anyway, it's only mandatory if you don't have significant provable responsibilities to other people. And I believe even then it's not mandatory in all cases.

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