Rights watchdog says dating ban on freshmen cadets 'discriminatory'

South Korea's human rights watchdog said Wednesday it has recommended a military academy to ease the ban on dating among freshmen cadets, saying the excessive regulation constitutes "discrimination."    Currently, the Korea Air Force Academy bans romantic relationships among novice cadets to tighten regulations on the students who are required to endure rigorous and disciplined military lifestyle. Violators are subject to heavy punishment. The rule was challenged by an Air Force cadet when he filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in June 2012, claiming that the rule applicable to only the freshmen constitutes a human rights infringement and discrimination.