A South Korean man has been convicted for attempting to evade mandatory military service by purposely gaining weight, according to local media reports. The 26-year-old started binge eating in anticipation of his physical examination for the draft, which resulted in him being categorized as obese, thus relegating him to a non-combat position at a government agency.
A judge in Seoul handed down a one-year suspended sentence to the defendant. His accomplice, who concocted a specific eating plan that significantly increased the man's daily caloric intake, received a six-month suspended sentence.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 and older are required to serve in the army for at least 18 months. Reports from the Korea Herald indicate that the defendant was deemed fit for combat during his initial physical exam. However, by the time of his final assessment last year, his weight had exceeded 102kg (225 lbs or 16 stone), categorizing him as heavily obese.
The friend who suggested the binge-eating strategy denied aiding and abetting, claiming he never expected his friend to follow through with the plan.
