A 26-year-old South Korean man has recently made headlines for his unusual attempt to avoid mandatory military service in his country. The man, whose name has not been disclosed, was sentenced to one year in prison for intentionally binge eating in an effort to become obese and unfit for duty.
In South Korea, military service is a significant obligation for all healthy adult males between the ages of 18 and 35, regardless of their social status or occupation. The mandatory service period is at least 21 months, and while it can be deferred for a time, eventually all men in this age group are required to serve unless deemed unfit for health reasons.
The convicted man reportedly embarked on a plan to deliberately gain weight by increasing his daily food intake and consuming large amounts of water just before his physical examination for military service. His goal was to artificially raise his body weight and be declared unfit for duty. He followed a diet plan devised by a friend, who was also charged as an accomplice in the case.
Despite his efforts, the man’s plan ultimately failed, and he was sentenced to one year in prison. Court documents revealed that he had initially been assessed as eligible for military service in 2017 but was later classified as unfit for duty in 2023 after intentionally gaining weight. His BMI of 35.8 placed him in the obese category, leading to his exemption from compulsory military service.
The man was initially permitted to serve in a non-combat role at a government agency, but authorities noticed a suspicious increase in his weight, prompting an investigation. He and his accomplice were both sentenced to prison, with their sentences suspended for two years.
Interestingly, the accomplice maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming he never believed his friend would go through with the plan. Those found guilty of attempting to avoid military service in South Korea can face up to three years in prison. However, the court justified the relatively lenient sentence considering the accused’s lack of prior criminal record, admission of guilt, and commitment to fulfilling his compulsory military service in the future.
