Korean Man Tries to Escape Service with a Risky Plan – But Ends Up in Jail!

In South Korea, where military service is compulsory for all able-bodied men, a unique attempt to dodge the draft has made headlines. A 26-year-old man recently found himself in hot water after using a strategy of overindulgence to avoid combat duty. Instead of relying on physical fitness or medical exemptions, he chose to pack on the pounds.

According to local media, the young man, who had been preparing for his mandatory military service, intentionally gained weight before his physical examination. His goal was to increase his body mass enough to disqualify himself from combat roles, and it worked. He ended up weighing in at 225 pounds by the time of the exam, which was enough for him to qualify for a non-combat position. His strategy wasn’t just about putting on weight—he also used a systematic approach to do so, consuming more food in the weeks leading up to the exam.

However, his plan wasn’t without consequences. After his scheme was discovered, the man was sentenced to prison. In a court ruling, he was handed a sentence, but with a twist. The court suspended two years of his sentence, citing his lack of prior criminal history and his promise to serve his country once he completed his time in jail. The young man’s friend, who had suggested the weight-gaining strategy, was also found guilty and received a six-month prison sentence for his role in the plan.

The case highlights a growing trend in South Korea, where some men are attempting to avoid military service by gaining excessive weight. In 2018, a group of college graduates gained weight intentionally to sidestep the draft, using food as a means of disqualification. One individual in the group gained 66 pounds in just six months, highlighting the lengths some are willing to go to avoid service.

While the 26-year-old may have avoided front-line combat for now, the consequences of his actions are clear. He may have eaten his way out of military service, but now he’ll have to face the repercussions, including time spent in jail. It’s a cautionary tale that shows how far some are willing to go to escape the mandatory military service that is such a significant part of life in South Korea.