Police say 10 pro players dodged military service
Published: 29 Jan. 2010, 21:01
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency booked 10 professional football players without detention yesterday on charges of either getting exempted from mandatory military service by injuring their shoulders deliberately or delaying enlistment through fake civil service exam identification slips. If one submits the copy of the test identification paper to the Military Manpower Administration, an agency under the Ministry of National Defense that manages military service-related issues, before being enlisted, the agency postpones enlistment.
One suspect surnamed Lim, 27, allegedly dislocated his left shoulder joint using an 8-kilogram (17-pound) dumbbell, police said. Lim allegedly injured the same shoulder by constantly leaning his body back suddenly with his hand holding a bus seat in front of him, said investigators.
Officers said Lim received shoulder surgery. Later, he received a physical examination that allowed him to work as a public servant rather than a military soldier. In addition, Lim allegedly delayed his enlistment date by showing a civil service test verification slip, police said.
The suspect allegedly underwent a second surgery, investigators said. He eventually received a military service exemption.
Police say other suspects learned how to injure their shoulders from seniors during undergraduate years.
“Since arms cannot be used in playing football, I believe the suspects adopted the method without hesitation,” said an officer who asked not to be identified. “All 10 players allegedly injured their left shoulders and underwent surgery.”
They allegedly injured themselves because they believed they would have to end their football careers if they served in the military, police said.
“Due to their shoulder injuries, the suspects worked as civil servants rather than soldiers,” said the officer.
By Jeong Seon-eon [[email protected]]
One suspect surnamed Lim, 27, allegedly dislocated his left shoulder joint using an 8-kilogram (17-pound) dumbbell, police said. Lim allegedly injured the same shoulder by constantly leaning his body back suddenly with his hand holding a bus seat in front of him, said investigators.
Officers said Lim received shoulder surgery. Later, he received a physical examination that allowed him to work as a public servant rather than a military soldier. In addition, Lim allegedly delayed his enlistment date by showing a civil service test verification slip, police said.
The suspect allegedly underwent a second surgery, investigators said. He eventually received a military service exemption.
Police say other suspects learned how to injure their shoulders from seniors during undergraduate years.
“Since arms cannot be used in playing football, I believe the suspects adopted the method without hesitation,” said an officer who asked not to be identified. “All 10 players allegedly injured their left shoulders and underwent surgery.”
They allegedly injured themselves because they believed they would have to end their football careers if they served in the military, police said.
“Due to their shoulder injuries, the suspects worked as civil servants rather than soldiers,” said the officer.
By Jeong Seon-eon [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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