'False Epilepsy' Military Service Broker Charges Confirmed...Prosecutors Seek 1-2 Years Imprisonment for Evaders and Others

A military service broker who fabricated epilepsy symptoms and obtained military service exemptions through false medical certificates admitted all charges at the first trial. This individual is different from another broker, Gu Mo (47), who has been on trial since January.

At around 10:12 a.m. on the 10th, Judge Kim Yoon-hee of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 9 presided over the first trial of broker Kim Mo (37), accused of violating the Military Service Act and obstructing official duties by deception, along with 21 co-defendants including military service obligors and accomplices. Kim admitted all charges at the first trial.

The defendants, including Kim, stated that they admit all the facts of the indictment. Kim said, "I admit all the charges." However, since the defense attorney did not appear in court that day, they said they would present their opinion on the evidence at the next hearing.

The 20 military service evaders and accomplices who appeared in court admitted the charges. The prosecution requested prison sentences of 1 to 2 years for the remaining defendants, excluding defendant A who did not appear at the trial, defendant B who has a past history of epilepsy and was involved in the crime and for whom a sentencing investigation was requested, and defendant C whose defense attorney needs to review the indictment.

The prosecution stated, "Considering the seriousness of the case, the deliberate and prolonged nature of the crime that undermines the fair military service system, severe punishment is warranted." However, they also noted, "All military service obligors confessed, there is no evidence of introducing brokers to others, and there is no prior similar offense." Regarding the two defendants for whom a 2-year prison sentence was requested, the prosecution said, "This request was made considering their active involvement in the crime and the large sums of money paid." Each defendant appealed for leniency in their final statements, citing past medical history and family circumstances.

According to the prosecution, Kim opened an online military service consultation cafe to lure military service obligors and promised, "If you act like an epilepsy patient according to the scenario, your military service will be reduced," charging consultation fees ranging from a minimum of 3 million KRW to a maximum of 110 million KRW per case.

The military service obligors, following the scenario provided by Kim, pretended to be epilepsy patients and obtained false epilepsy medical certificates, prescriptions, and medical records from medical institutions, which they submitted to the Military Manpower Administration to receive military service exemptions. The accomplices, who were acquaintances or family members of the military service obligors, were also indicted for leading or actively participating in the crime through contracts for evading military service, payment of fees, and impersonation of false witnesses or guardians.

The next trial date for broker Kim and three others is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 21st of next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.