A 26-year-old South Korean man was sentenced to a one-year suspended sentence for “intentional weight gain.” An investigation revealed that the man had been overeating to avoid compulsory military service. The defendant's weight was over 100 kg and his height was less than 170 cm. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty and promised to serve faithfully.
A court in Seoul sentenced a 26-year-old man to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for “deliberately gaining weight to avoid compulsory military service,” the BBC reported.
Upon first qualifying for military service, the man earned the second category, meaning he was deemed fit for military service.
South Korea. A man was found guilty of obesity. he wanted to avoid military service
However, before the final examination, the 26-year-old's weight had increased to more than 100 kg, and his height was less than 170 cm. This means he was classified in the fourth category, “severely obese.” According to it, men can perform compulsory service in civilian situations. So he worked for a government agency and commuted there from his home.
The investigation revealed that the man had deliberately gained weight thanks to a special diet recommended to him by a friend. Meanwhile, he denied the accusations. He said he couldn't believe his friend had done that.
Under the law, those who evade mandatory military service are subject to up to three years in prison.
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The court gave both men suspended sentences. They have never been convicted of a crime. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty and promised to serve faithfully.
Military service in South Korea lasts at least one and a half years.
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