 "South Korean soldiers participate in an anti-terror drill, as part of the country's annual Ulchi civil defence exercise, at Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul, South Korea, August 20, 2024. File Image/Reuters")
A South Korean man’s unusual attempt to evade mandatory military service by deliberately gaining weight has resulted in a conviction, stirring public debate over the country’s conscription policies.
The 26-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, by the Seoul Eastern District Court under the Military Service Act.
This law mandates all able-bodied male citizens aged 18 to 35 to serve at least 18 months in the military, with penalties of up to three years in prison for evasion without a valid reason.
How the South Korean man attempted to evade military service
The court found the man guilty of deliberately manipulating his body weight to be deemed unfit for combat duties. Initially assessed as Level 2 — qualifying for combat service — during a 2017 physical examination, the man later received a Level 4 classification during his June 2023 examination, which categorised him as obese.
His weight had ballooned to over 102 kilogrammes (225 pounds) at a height of about 5 feet 5 inches, resulting in a BMI of 35.8, classifying him as clinically obese.
“The defendant consumed high-calorie foods, approximately doubled his meal portions, refrained from physically demanding jobs such as parcel delivery work, and drank large amounts of water right before measurements to deliberately increase his weight,” the judge stated in the ruling.
This weight gain exempted him from combat duties and relegated him to a non-combat administrative role at a government agency, where he could commute from home.
The man’s binge-eating strategy was reportedly suggested by a friend, who provided him with a detailed plan to gain weight, reported The Korea Herald. The friend also faced legal consequences, receiving a six-month prison sentence for aiding and abetting the offense.
However, the friend denied the charges, claiming he didn’t think he [the convicted] would go through with it.
Both individuals received relatively lenient sentences due to their lack of prior criminal records and their remorseful attitudes. The court official noted, “Most of all, [the man] accepted his wrongdoing and vowed to serve his military duty sincerely.”
How draft dodging is a persistent issue in South Korea
This case is far from isolated in South Korea, where military service is a contentious topic. In 2017 alone, 37 per cent of the 59 detected cases of draft evasion involved deliberate weight manipulation, according to the Military Manpower Administration.
Other methods have included feigning mental illness, registering false disabilities, and even intentionally breaking bones.
Also Read | Germany mulls compulsory military service: Is conscription returning to Europe?
In recent years, the prosecution of draft dodgers has intensified. For example, in 2022, a professional volleyball player was charged with faking epilepsy to avoid conscription. Similarly, a former professional gamer was sentenced to one year in prison earlier this year for pretending to have an IQ of 53 to obtain a mental disorder diagnosis.
Historically, some young men have gone to extremes, such as paying brokers to learn how to raise blood pressure by chain-smoking, drinking excessive coffee, and depriving themselves of sleep before their physical assessments.
Is the mandatory military service law in South Korea controversial?
Since the Korean War, South Korea has maintained compulsory military service as a safeguard against North Korean threats. However, the policy has long been controversial.
Conscientious objectors, primarily citing religious or political reasons, have faced imprisonment, though a 2018 Constitutional Court ruling mandated alternative civilian roles for such individuals.
High-profile cases have also highlighted how conscription disrupts careers, as seen with global K-pop stars like BTS, who had to suspend their activities to fulfill their duties.
The draft has also become a flashpoint in gender debates. Women are exempt from mandatory service, leading to arguments of gender inequality.
In a 2018 survey, 72 per cent of South Korean men in their 20s considered the draft discriminatory, and 65 per cent believed women should also be conscripted.
Also Read | South Korean military concerned about spying, removes 1,300 Chinese-made cameras from bases
With inputs from agencies