A 26-year-old South Korean man was sentenced to a year in prison for deliberately binge eating in an attempt to avoid mandatory military service, reported The Korea Herald.
The man intentionally gained weight to be classified as unfit for the nation’s compulsory military duties.
South Korea requires all able-bodied men aged 18 to 35 to serve in the military for at least 18 months.
Source: Getty Images for illustrative purposes only.
Initially, the man received a high physical grade in a 2017 examination, qualifying him for a combat role in the military.
Determined to evade service, he implemented a weight-gain strategy devised by a friend.
Doubling his food intake and drinking excessive amounts of water before his draft physical, he reached a weight of 102.3kg.
At 1.69 metres tall, this resulted in a body mass index (BMI) of 35.8, classified as “heavily obese”.
This new classification allowed him to serve in a non-combat government role, enabling him to return home daily instead of joining active military duty.
The Seoul Eastern Dongbu District Court sentenced the man to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for violating South Korea’s Military Service Act.
The law imposes penalties of up to three years in jail for those who evade military duties without valid justification.
The man’s friend, who denied involvement by claiming he never thought the defendant will proceed with the plan, received six months in prison, also suspended for two years.
According to the Korea Herald, the court noted that the sentences were relatively lenient due to the defendants’ lack of prior criminal records and the man’s acknowledgment of his wrongdoing.
He has since pledged to fulfil his military obligations sincerely.
Also read: Restaurant owner leaves thoughtful note for Korean man enjoying his last meal before enlisting
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