Court Accuses Man of Making Himself Obese on Purpose to Escape Military Service

A South Korean court has accused a man of making himself obese on purpose so that he could escape the country's military draft.

The 26-year-old man was accused of devising a diet plan to help them maintain a BMI high enough so that they would not have to complete military service, as reported by the Korea Herald.

In addition to the diet plan, the court accused the individual of quitting their part-time job and purposefully drinking lots of water before their exam so that they would reach a weight high enough to be labeled as "obese," as reported by the Media Business Newspaper.

A friend was also charged in connection with the plan after the court accused them of helping devise the plan. They denied these accusations, claiming they did not think the 26-year-old would really follow it.

The 26-year-old was found guilty of evading military service, and was sentenced to one year in prison. Meanwhile, the friend was found guilty of aiding and abetting, and was sentenced to six months in prison.

All men are required to serve in South Korea's military for a minimum of 18 months, so long as they are able. Failure to do so is punishable by up to three years in prison.