The Buzz: Interesting Headlines & Stories

Some commitments are easier to get out of than others. Like this guy in South Korea who literally ate his way out of a tough military gig. I’m talking about intentionally gaining over 44 pounds just to dodge active-duty military service. And yeah, it totally backfired.

So, in South Korea, all able-bodied men have to do about two years of military service. But if you have certain health conditions—or weigh enough—you can get reassigned to an easier, nonmilitary role. This guy was all set for active duty at 5’6′ and 183 pounds. But then he decided, “Nope, not for me,” and started binge-eating like it was his full-time job. Fast forward a few years, and he’d ballooned to 225-231 pounds. And his plan worked—for a while. Between 2022 and 2023, three physical exams qualified him for social service instead of the more grueling active-duty roles. But the court caught on, and now he’s been sentenced to a one-year prison term, suspended for two years. His friend, who allegedly helped him hatch the plan, also got a suspended sentence.

And a plan is a good one until it isn’t.

Source: Newsweek