South Korean Man Convicted for Evading Military Service Through Deliberate Weight Gain

A South Korean court has found an individual guilty of attempting to circumvent mandatory military service by intentionally increasing his body weight, according to reports from local media outlets. A judge in Seoul, the capital, stated that the 26-year-old commenced excessive eating prior to his conscription physical examination. This led to his classification as obese, which qualified him for service in a non-combat capacity within a government institution. The defendant was given a one-year suspended sentence. His friend, who formulated a specific diet plan that doubled the defendant’s daily food consumption, received a six-month suspended sentence, as reported by the Korea Herald newspaper. In South Korea, all physically capable men aged 18 and above are required to complete a minimum of 18 months of service in the armed forces. The Korea Herald indicated that the defendant had been deemed suitable for combat duty during an initial medical assessment. However, during the conclusive examination conducted last year, his weight exceeded 102kg (225 lbs, 16 stone), resulting in a classification of severe obesity. The individual who suggested the excessive eating regimen had denied the accusation of aiding and abetting, asserting that he never thought his friend would proceed with the plan, the newspaper further noted.