South Korean Man Convicted for Feigned Obesity to Avoid Military Service

A South Korean man, 26, intentionally gained significant weight before his military service physical, according to a news report.

A South Korean district court convicted a 26-year-old man for deliberately increasing his weight to avoid mandatory military service, the Korea Herald reported Sunday. The unnamed man reportedly doubled his daily food intake and water consumption before his physical examination. He received a one-year suspended sentence.

Initially graded Grade 2 (second-highest) in October 2017, qualifying him for combat duty, he postponed service citing university entrance exams. Five years later, facing another physical, he embarked on a three-month binge-eating regimen, doubling his meal portions.

His final exam last year showed a weight exceeding 102kg, classifying him as obese and exempting him from combat service. He now serves in a non-combat government role. An accomplice, who suggested and planned the weight-gain diet, received a six-month suspended sentence, despite denying the charge and claiming disbelief his friend would take such action.

A similar 2018 case involved twelve Seoul-based classical music students who intentionally gained weight using protein powder and aloe vera juice to avoid conscription; deemed too heavy for military service, they were assigned government work instead.