A South Korean court has convicted a 26-year-old man of attempting to dodge mandatory military service by deliberately gaining weight, local media reports.
The man, who was facing a required physical examination for military service, began binge eating in an attempt to qualify as obese and avoid combat duty. His actions led to his classification as obese, allowing him to serve in a non-combat role at a government agency instead of in the military’s frontlines.
The court in Seoul sentenced the defendant to a one-year suspended prison sentence, meaning he will avoid jail time unless he commits another crime within the next two years. Additionally, a friend who had recommended and helped the man follow an intensive eating regimen received a six-month suspended sentence.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men over the age of 18 are required to serve in the military for a minimum of 18 months, although certain exemptions or adjustments can be made for health reasons. The defendant’s case drew attention as it highlighted the lengths some are willing to go to avoid military conscription.
According to the Korea Herald, the defendant had been assessed as fit for combat duty during an initial medical exam. However, when he went for his final examination last year, he weighed in at over 102kg (225 lbs), a weight classification that categorized him as heavily obese.
The friend who suggested the binge-eating plan denied the charges of aiding and abetting, claiming he never believed his friend would follow through with the drastic diet changes. Despite this, the court found the recommendation and support for the weight-gain regimen to be criminally liable.
This case has raised questions about the pressures of mandatory military service in South Korea and the lengths some individuals might go to in order to avoid it. The government enforces strict regulations regarding military conscription, with exceptions made only in cases of severe health issues or other unique circumstances.
