"I Won't Join the Military"…20s on Probation Gained 102kg, Even Made a Meal Plan

Artificially gained weight... Received physical grade 4
Friend who helped with meal planning sentenced to probation for aiding and abetting

A man in his 20s who intentionally gained weight to evade military service was sentenced to a suspended prison term. It was revealed that he artificially gained weight by following a diet plan prepared through a friend.

According to the legal community on the 23rd, the Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Judge Seo Bo-min) sentenced A (26) to one year in prison with a two-year suspension on the 13th for violating the Military Service Act.

A received a physical grade 2, which qualifies for active duty, at his initial military physical examination on October 17, 2017. However, he repeatedly postponed enlistment due to reasons such as university entrance exams, certification tests, and waiting to go abroad. When he became subject to a re-examination on September 29, 2022, A decided to gain weight to avoid active duty enlistment. He exploited the fact that a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher results in a physical grade 4, which assigns supplementary service.

Trainees undergoing individual combat training at the Army Training Center in Nonsan-si, Chungnam [Image source=Yonhap News]

As a result, at the re-examination on December 7, 2022, A was measured at a height of 168.9 cm, weight of 105.4 kg, and BMI of 36.9. At the first surprise re-measurement on February 15, 2023, his height was 168.6 cm, weight 102.9 kg, and BMI 36.1. At the second surprise re-measurement on June 2, 2023, he was measured at 169 cm in height, 102.3 kg in weight, and a BMI of 35.8, ultimately receiving a physical grade 4 and becoming subject to social service duty.

According to the prosecution, A gained weight by doubling his food intake based on a diet plan prepared by his friend B (26), quitting part-time jobs that burned a lot of calories, and other methods. He also increased his weight by drinking a large amount of water just before the re-examination. Friend B prepared the diet plan for A and frequently set weight goals, saying, "It is possible to gain 4 kg per month, so if you have two and a half months, you can gain 10 kg." Additionally, whenever A struggled, B motivated him by saying things like, "Think about the benefits of serving in supplementary service."

Consequently, B was indicted for aiding and abetting a violation of the Military Service Act, and the court sentenced him to six months in prison with a two-year suspension. B claimed at trial, "I thought A would only talk and not actually follow through." However, the court did not accept this, stating it constituted mental assistance.

The court explained the sentencing by saying, "Defendant A admitted his wrongdoing and expressed his intention to faithfully fulfill his military duty," and "considering that the defendants have no prior criminal records and the circumstances after the offense."