South Korean man convicted for gaining weight to dodge military service

The man doubled his food intake and drank excess water to trick the conscription system.

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A South Korean man has been sentenced to a suspended prison term for deliberately gaining weight in order to avoid mandatory military service.

The Seoul Eastern District Court ruled on Tuesday that the 26-year-old, whose identity has not been disclosed, was guilty of violating the Military Service Act by manipulating his physical condition to dodge conscription.

According to the court, the man, who had originally passed a physical exam in 2017, weighed 83kg (183 pounds) at a height of 169cm (5 feet 6 inches).

At the time, he was deemed fit for active duty.

However, in the following years, he devised a plan with the help of a friend to put on more than 20kg (44 pounds) in weight to ensure he would qualify for social service instead of combat duty.

The scheme involved doubling his daily food intake, consuming high-calorie foods, quitting his part-time job, and drinking large amounts of water before physical exams to artificially increase his weight.

By 2022, his weight had surged to 102kg (225 pounds), and in 2023, it peaked at 105kg (231 pounds), disqualifying him from active duty under South Korea’s military regulations.

The court sentenced the man to one year in prison, suspended for two years, effectively avoiding immediate jail time but holding him accountable for his actions.

The acquaintance who helped him with the weight-gaining plan received a six-month prison sentence, also suspended for one year.

This case highlights the complex and often controversial nature of South Korea’s mandatory military service.

All able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 30 are required to serve between 18 and 21 months in the military due to the ongoing tensions with North Korea.

However, individuals with health issues or who meet certain criteria can be assigned alternative service, such as community work.

The Military Manpower Administration maintains a public list of individuals who evade their service illegally, and the man’s actions fall in line with a growing trend of using health-related tactics, including weight manipulation, to avoid military duty.

In 2023, a record 355 individuals were found to have illegally evaded conscription, the highest number since the list was established in 2015.

In response to the conviction, the man expressed regret for his actions and stated his willingness to fulfill his military duties in the future.

The court’s ruling reflects South Korea's stringent stance on military service, especially as the nation remains technically at war with North Korea.