Tue Nov 26 07:23:37 UTC 2024: ## South Korean Man Sentenced for Weight Gain to Evade Military Service
**SEOUL, South Korea (November 26, 2024)** – A Seoul court sentenced a 26-year-old South Korean man to a suspended one-year prison term for deliberately gaining over 20 kilograms (44 pounds) to avoid mandatory military service. The man, who was deemed fit for active duty in 2017, significantly increased his food intake and quit his job to reach a weight that qualified him for less strenuous social service instead of active military deployment. An acquaintance who advised him on this scheme also received a suspended one-year prison sentence.
South Korea’s mandatory military service requires able-bodied men to serve 18-21 months. However, those with health issues can perform alternative service. The court stated the man’s weight gain violated the country’s military service act. He achieved the required weight for social service through increased calorie consumption and reportedly consumed excessive water before physical examinations.
While the method by which the deception was uncovered remains unclear, the court noted the man had pledged to faithfully fulfill his military duties. Neither the defendants nor the prosecution appealed the November 13th ruling.
The Military Manpower Administration reports approximately 50-60 cases of military service evasion annually, with common tactics including extreme weight changes or neglecting medical treatments before physical assessments. This case highlights the sensitivity surrounding military conscription in South Korea, where the draft often necessitates interruptions to education and careers, particularly amidst ongoing tensions with North Korea.
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