Political circles are debating the implications of a landmark court ruling that acquitted three young men who were accused of evading mandatory military service for religious reasons.

Most politicians expressed concern about the court decision while some suggested that alternative non-military public services be imposed on those "conscientious objectors."

Choi Yong-gue, a lawmaker from the ruling Uri Party, criticized the court for issuing the controversial ruling without offering any alternative service for the men.

Lee Sang-kyeong, a legislator-elect from the ruling party, said the military should come up with measures to make "conscientious objectors" subject to longer public services than the two-year military service.

Song Young-sun, a legislator-elect from the main opposition Grand National Party, said the ruling would encourage draft dodging and have a bad impact on national security.

The number of those claiming to be "conscientious objectors" has been increasing in recent years. According to the Military Manpower Administration, the number has been steadily rising from one in 2000 to some 380 in 2001 and more than 800 in 2002, before dropping to 560 last year.

On Friday, a Seoul district court found three followers of the millennialist sect, Jehovah& 039 s Witnesses, not guilty of charges that they violated the military service law when they refused conscription on religious grounds.

The ruling caught the nation by surprise, as national defense is widely considered its No. 1 state objective. All able-bodied South Korean men must serve in the military for two years when they reach the age of 20. Violators may be punished with prison terms of up to three years.