Surviving in the World: Instances of violence around the globe

This undated photo captured from the website of Novoye Vremya, a Ukrainian weekly magazine, shows Rhee Keun (R) and his fellow volunteer warriors fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine. (Source: Yeonhap)

 

Protection of South Korean citizens: When South Koreans join foreign legion, they would be put at a significant risk that the government might not be able to mitigate or resolve.

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Potential risks from foreign legion involvement: volunteers are sent abroad to dangerous missions since the country in command of the foreign legion is not obliged and scrutinized as much to protect foreign nationals as its own citizens.

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• French foreign legion gets often deployed into severe missions.

• A combatant’s death does not result in a big media scandal as identities of combatants in foreign legions frequently convert.

   

• Volunteers are exposed to abuse and mistreatment in the foreign legion.

  • Military generally is known for a high number of cases of mistreatment and abuse, especially mental and sexual violence.

  • In every military it is very hard for victims to speak out and accuse their aggressors since the authority of superior officers in military is undisputed and there is a culture of obedience.

     

• In foreign militaries, the situation is even worse.

  • No citizenship of a country for which soldiers are fighting for so your access to help is significantly lower.

  • Lack of economic capital to go through court process.

  • Language barriers: uncomfortable in the bureaucracy

  • Inability to gain outside support since identity is concealed.

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Why you should care: The harms of this argument are quite obvious since it is the motion about war and armies - South Korean nationals might get killed or worse

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The reason why South Korea should not allow it is because it has a duty to protect its citizens

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• The public may argue that it is their freedom of choice and an insignificant harm However, the state’s duty still applies

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That is why the state forces you to put a seatbelt on or why suicide is illegal or why all different kinds of drugs are illegal - it is protecting your rights to safe and good life even from your own self-destructive behavior. The idea of social contract still applies

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