South Korean Man (26) Receives Suspended Sentence After Attempting to Evade Military Service by Gaining Weight

seoul - A South Korean court has sentenced a 26-year-old man to a one-year suspended prison term for attempting to escape his military service in an unusual way. The man admitted to overeating in an effort to avoid conscription.

In South Korea, all men aged 18 and above who are physically fit are required to serve a minimum of 18 months in the military. This obligation applied to the 26-year-old man in question. In October 2017, he excelled in tests in Seoul and was found to be more than capable of serving in a combat role in the army. However, he postponed his service, claiming he was not ready.

During subsequent mandatory tests in June 2023, he was found to have a BMI of 35.8, weighing 102.3 kilograms at a height of 1.69 meters, significantly more than six years prior. This weight gain would only qualify him for a desk job in the military.

An investigation revealed that leading up to the new military tests, the man began eating double portions and consuming a large amount of water in an attempt to evade service, a violation of the law as ruled by the court. Facing a potential three-year prison sentence, he was ultimately given a one-year suspended term.

It was discovered that the man was 'assisted' by a friend who prepared food for him. This friend was sentenced to a six-month suspended prison term. The man defended himself by claiming he never thought his friend would follow through with the plan, yet they both faced consequences.

The court emphasized the leniency of the sentences due to the clean records of both men and the immediate confession by the 26-year-old.