The Korea Herald reported on Sunday ( Nov. 24 ) that a South Korean man had gained weight intentionally to avoid serving in the military.
The 26-year-old was sentenced to a time in jail, suspended for two decades, under the Military Service Act.
Just before his physical exam for the defense document, he reportedly consumed twice as much water as usual and drank a lot of it.
The man’s original physical examination in October 2017 was grade 2, which would have allowed him to play in a combat role, according to the report.
Nevertheless, he got a class 4 at the last physical examination in June 2023, weighing 102.3kg. At 169cm large, he had a body mass index of 35.8, which made him greatly fat.
He was commute from home while performing non-combat duties for a government agency, according to The Korea Herald.
According to reports, the man apparently complied with a friend’s advice, which included specific plans for weight gain.
Those who evade their duty to the military services without providing reasonable justification can be imprisoned for up to three years under the Military Service Act.
The boy’s friend was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, for aiding and abetting.
The companion allegedly denied the accusations and claimed he not anticipated the man’s behavior.
Given that both men had no prior criminal convictions, the district court decided to sentences them both somewhat mild sentences. The plaintiff even made a pledge to honorably discharge his military service and acknowledged his guilt.
All able-bodied people in South Korea are required to provide for at least 18 months.