Korean youth sentenced to prison for intentionally eating to avoid military service

According to the Korea Herald, the 26-year-old man was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of probation for violating the Korean Military Service Act.

According to records, the man deliberately doubled his daily food intake and drank a lot of water just before his military service medical examination. Previously, in his initial medical examination in October 2017, he was classified as level 2, qualified to serve in combat units.

However, he was classified as level 4 in his most recent examination in June 2023, weighing 102.3kg. With a height of 169cm, a body mass index of 35.8, he is considered severely obese. With this health rating, he does not have to join a combat unit but stays at home, serving a government agency.

Military service examination in Korea. (Photo: Getty Images)

A friend of his was involved in the detailed plan to gain weight and was also sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years. According to the newspaper, the friend denied the charges and insisted that he never thought his friend would actually follow the advice to gain weight.

According to the Korea Herald, the court decided on a relatively light sentence for both young men because they had no criminal records. The defendant also admitted his wrongdoing and promised to perform his military service faithfully.

In 2018, a 21-year-old man also deliberately tried to avoid military service by gaining 30 kg in just 6 months, from 85 kg to nearly 115 kg.

South Korea requires all able-bodied men to serve in the military for at least 18 months. Under the Military Service Act, those who evade mandatory military service without justifiable reasons can face up to three years in prison.

Quartz (Source: Korea Herald)

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