South Korean man convicted of evading military service by binge eating

A South Korean man was found guilty of evading military service by deliberately putting on weight.

A court in Seoul sentenced the 26-year-old man, whose name was not publicly disclosed, to a year in prison, suspended for two years, according to The Korea Herald.

He was convicted of violating the country’s Military Service Act, which requires all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 35 to serve at least 18 months.

While most South Korean men are expected to serve for at least a year and a half, shortly after finishing high school, the conscription law has a number of exceptions.

Certain K-pop stars with governmental medals can defer their service under the so-called “BTS Law”, named after the popular band.

Additionally, exemptions may be granted to individuals who are deemed incapable of serving because of illness, or mental or physical inabilities, which can include those who are obese.