A South Korean man was sentenced to a suspended prison term for deliberately gaining weight to avoid military service.
The man gained over 20 kilograms (44 pounds) by doubling his daily food intake and consuming large amounts of water before his physical exams. This weight gain allowed him to be classified as unfit for active duty and instead serve in a non-combat role.
The Seoul Eastern District Court sentenced him to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for violating the Military Service Act. His friend, who helped him with the weight gain plan, received a suspended six-month prison term.
South Korea maintains a military conscription system due to threats from North Korea, making military service evasion a highly sensitive issue.
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