Tags: South Korea, Military Service, Obesity, Legal Cases
Deliberate Weight Gain to Evade Service
A 26-year-old South Korean man has been convicted for intentionally gaining weight to avoid mandatory military service. The man increased his food and water intake significantly before his final physical examination, leading to a body mass index (BMI) of 35.8, classifying him as heavily obese.
While initially assessed as grade 2 in 2017, which qualified him for a combat role, his BMI by 2023 reduced his eligibility to grade 4, limiting his service to non-combat roles within government agencies.
Legal Consequences
The individual was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, under the Military Service Act. His accomplice, who devised the weight gain plan, received a six-month prison sentence, also suspended for two years. Both sentences were considered lenient due to their lack of prior convictions and their acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Military Service Obligations
South Korea mandates military service for all able-bodied men for a minimum of 18 months. Evading this obligation without valid justification can result in up to three years of imprisonment.
The convicted man expressed remorse and pledged to fulfill his military duties sincerely, ensuring compliance with the law moving forward.
Broader Implications
This case highlights the lengths some individuals may go to avoid military service and reinforces the seriousness with which South Korea enforces its mandatory service laws.
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