Former Soccer National Team Player Seok Hyun-jun Appeals First Trial Verdict for 'Military Service Law Violation'

Former national soccer team striker Seok Hyun-jun, who was prosecuted for failing to return within the permitted overseas stay period granted by the Military Manpower Administration, has appealed the first trial verdict.

Seok Hyun-jun Photo by Yonhap News

According to the legal community on the 9th, Seok Hyun-jun, who was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial for violating the Military Service Act, recently filed an appeal with the Suwon District Court.

On the 1st, Seok Hyun-jun was sentenced to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension by Judge Kim Jae-hak of the Suwon District Court Criminal Division 13. Judge Kim stated, "According to the investigation lawfully conducted by this court, the defendant's charges are recognized as guilty," adding, "Despite the expiration of the overseas stay permit, the defendant resided abroad without justifiable reasons and failed to return, which reflects poor criminal conduct. Considering the purpose of the current law to ensure fair military service order, severe punishment is inevitable."

Seok Hyun-jun was indicted for failing to return within the designated period without justifiable reasons despite being notified by the Military Manpower Administration to return by June 3, 2019, while staying in France for his overseas soccer career. He departed for France on November 12, 2018, and applied for an extension of his stay for overseas migration purposes in March 2019, but the request was denied, and he was also notified to return.

Seok Hyun-jun claimed, "The overseas club I contracted with was not properly aware of the domestic military service regulations, so I had no choice but to be led by the club under unavoidable circumstances. Also, due to my limited language skills, I had to rely on an agency."

However, it is known that the prosecution did not file an appeal. This is said to be due to considerations such as the fact that Seok Hyun-jun's violation of the Military Service Act was not an active method of evading military service and his expressed intention to fulfill his military duties.