What's happened
A 26-year-old man in South Korea received a one-year suspended prison sentence for violating military service laws by intentionally gaining weight to evade conscription. His friend, who advised him on the weight gain, also received a suspended sentence. This case highlights ongoing issues with military draft dodging in the country.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the Seoul Eastern District Court sentenced the man to a year in prison, suspended for two years, for violating the Military Service Act. The court noted that the defendant gained weight intentionally, following advice from a friend, which allowed him to qualify for non-combat service. AP News highlighted that this case is part of a broader trend, with about 50-60 draft dodging cases reported annually. The South China Morning Post pointed out that weight manipulation is a common method for evading military service, with 37% of cases in 2017 involving deliberate weight changes. Business Insider UK emphasized the legal ramifications of such actions, noting that evading military service can lead to significant penalties, including imprisonment.
How we got here
In South Korea, all able-bodied men must serve in the military for 18-21 months. Exemptions exist for health issues, but evading service is a sensitive issue, often leading to legal consequences. The recent case underscores the challenges of the conscription system amid societal pressures.
More on these topics
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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Seoul, officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. Seoul has a population of 9.7 million people, and forms the heart of the Seoul Capital Area with the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province.