South Korean Man Fools Military with Weight Gain Scheme

In a unique case, a South Korean man was convicted for deliberately gaining weight to avoid mandatory military service, leading to a year-long suspended sentence for him and a shorter one for his accomplice.

A 26-year-old man in South Korea has been convicted for cleverly evading mandatory military service by binge eating, local media sources report. The man, who was required to serve in the army for 18 months as per South Korea’s conscription laws, resorted to a drastic measure prior to his physical examination. A judge in Seoul confirmed that the defendant began a binge eating regimen which resulted in him being classified as obese during his final assessment.

Initially, during a preliminary exam, the man was deemed fit for combat duty. However, by the time of his final evaluation last year, his weight soared to over 102kg (225 lbs), qualifying him as heavily obese. Hence, instead of combat, he was assigned to a non-combat role at a government agency.

For his actions, the man received a one-year suspended sentence. His friend, who devised the extreme eating plan that doubled his daily caloric intake, received a six-month suspended sentence for his involvement. Despite facing legal consequences, the friend denied any wrongdoing, claiming he never thought his friend would follow through with the plan. In South Korea, all able-bodied men over the age of 18 are mandated to serve in the military, making this case particularly fascinating to many observers.

The incident further raises questions about the lengths some individuals will go to avoid conscription, reflecting ongoing societal debates about military service in South Korea. Additionally, recent discussions around the implications of such evasion tactics highlight the pressures faced by young men within the country.