The World Health Organization's cancer agency in July classified talc as 'probably carcinogenic' for humans
world6 days ago
A South Korean man was handed a suspended prison sentence for intentionally gaining weight in a bid to avoid bootcamp and other strenuous activities in military service, a Seoul court told AFP Tuesday.
All South Korean men under the age of 30 must perform around two years of military service, mainly because the country remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea.
While all able-bodied men must serve in the military, people with health issues may be assigned alternative duties, which can include working in an office for a municipal government.
A 26-year-old man was sentenced earlier this month to one year in prison -- suspended for two years -- for violating the Military Service Act after deliberately binge-eating to gain weight and be classified as unfit for active duty.
After learning that a body mass index (BMI) of over 35 could exempt him from standard military assignments, the man started trying to put on weight by following a special regime designed by an acquaintance.
The plan involved doubling his food intake and consuming large amounts of water before medical evaluations.
In 2017, the man was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 83 kg. By 2022, "he weighed 105 kg and in 2023 he weighed 102 kg," the Seoul Eastern District Court told AFP.
The acquaintance who encouraged him was also convicted of aiding the legal violation and received a six-month prison term, suspended for one year.
The court noted that the "defendant has admitted his wrongdoing and expressed willingness to fulfil his military duty sincerely".
The Military Manpower Administration maintains a public list of evaders, displaying their names, ages, registered addresses and reasons for avoidance.
In 2023, 355 people evaded mandatory military service illegally, the highest since the public listing began in 2015.
Famous figures have been caught faking illnesses to evade or to be exempted completely from military service, including a high-profile celebrity who was accused of pulling his teeth out.
Last year, Ravi, a rapper of the K-pop group VIXX, received a suspended sentence after falsifying medical documents that he suffered from epilepsy.
He apologised on social media, saying he had made a "foolish decision" because he was "desperate to delay" his military service.
The World Health Organization's cancer agency in July classified talc as 'probably carcinogenic' for humans
world6 days ago
Since the beginning of the conflict, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice, as the United States used its veto power several times
world6 days ago
Super Heavy unexpectedly splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico instead of returning to land
world6 days ago
The 19-year-old dreamt of competing abroad, and said she wanted to be like Ronaldo and Messi
world6 days ago
Hochstein's mission marks a last-ditch attempt by the outgoing US administration to clinch a ceasefire as diplomacy to end the Gaza war appears totally adrift
world1 week ago
This will be his first visit since the beginning of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia around three years ago
world1 week ago
The changes state that any conventional attack on Russia, aided by a nuclear power, could be considered to be a joint attack
world1 week ago
The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world1 week ago