[26.01.01] Jump Rope 1,000 Times to Dodge Active Duty…Man in His 20s Gets Suspended Sentence

Man Given Suspended Prison Sentence for Evading Active Duty through Extreme Weight Loss

📍Court finds intentional manipulation of BMI standards to obtain public service worker status

A man in his 20s who deliberately lost weight through fasting and excessive exercise to avoid active military service has been given a suspended prison sentence for violating the Military Service Act. The court ruled that he intentionally exploited BMI standards to evade enlistment.

A man in his 20s who artificially reduced his weight by doing 1,000 jump ropes daily to avoid active military service was given a suspended sentence on charges of violating the Military Service Act.

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🔹 Exploiting BMI standards to avoid active duty
On July 1, Judge Ahn Kyung-rok of the Daegu District Court’s Criminal Division sentenced A (in his 20s) to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, on charges of violating the Military Service Act. A was accused of deliberately damaging his physical condition to be classified as a public service worker instead of serving on active duty.

Investigators found that A learned in February 2021 that a body mass index (BMI) below 16 could result in a Grade 4 physical classification, qualifying him for alternative service.

🔹 Over 1,000 jump ropes daily and extreme dieting before examinations
From July to September 2021, A reportedly performed more than 1,000 jump rope repetitions every day while sharply reducing his food intake for at least three days prior to military physical examinations.

Standing 175 cm tall and weighing over 50 kg before the weight loss, A recorded a weight of 46.9 kg (BMI 15.3) during his first examination on September 16, 2021, and 47.8 kg (BMI 15.5) during a second examination on November 29, resulting in classification as a public service worker.

🔹 Court rejects defense claims
During the trial, A argued that he exercised solely to improve his physical fitness and did not intentionally restrict food or water intake. However, the court rejected this claim, citing urine test results indicating possible starvation or prolonged fasting, as well as text messages exchanged with acquaintances discussing weight loss for the purpose of avoiding military service.

🔹 Intentional evasion acknowledged, but limited physical harm considered
Judge Ahn stated that A intentionally lost weight to evade active military duty and even encouraged others to use similar methods. However, the court took into account that the method did not result in severe physical injury and that the degree of weight loss was relatively limited, given A’s already low body weight.

One-line summary : A man in his 20s received a suspended prison sentence for intentionally losing weight through fasting and excessive exercise to evade active military service.