159 Are Accused of Dodging The Draft After Long Probe

An investigation launched by the Supreme Prosecutors Office and the Ministry of National Defense last April concluded Tuesday with the indictment and detention of 159 men accused of dodging the draft.

It is the first extensive probe into draft-dodging by the joint investigation team. Officials said that as a result of the probe the rate of exemption from military service due to physical disabilities last year fell from 7.5 percent to 3.1 percent.

Those accused of bribing local draft boards included politicians, professors, doctors, police officers, businessmen and blue-collar workers.

Critics complained that investigation into the sons of politicians was not carried out fully. Only 4 of the 76 politicians' sons suspected of draft dodging were found guilty.

The son of Rep. Kim Tae-ho of the Grand National Party was indicted without detention and the three others were exempted from judicial action because the statute of limitations had expired.

There were also cries of foul play in political circles because more sons of opposition party members were investigated than of the ruling party. Officials said they "conducted the investigation without political consideration."

by Park Jai-hyun