Choi Hyun-woo

By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

A popular magician and a judicial apprentice were found to have neglected their alternative military service duties at companies they worked for as an alternative to serving in the military.

The prosecution said Wednesday that it would request the Military Manpower Administration to cancel employment contracts of three people including the magician, Choi Hyun-woo.

Those detected will have to be enlisted as draftees or have to extend their alternative military service at other firms. It is the second time for a celebrity to face such measure, following singer Psy.

``Choi, 29, started with a company June last year but has not shown up at work. Instead, he has held performances and practiced his magic skills in order to take part in a world championship of magic, neglecting his designated duties,'' Han Myeong-kwan, a senior prosecutor said.

The company did not receive money from Choi in exchange for the favor, as it has supported the magician since before he started the alternative military service there, according to the prosecutor.

Choi, who won the close-up magic award at the International Federation of Magic Societies Convention in 2002, has also appeared on numerous television programs.

The prosecution is also investigating an allegation that a 34-year-old man, who passed the state judicial exam and is currently receiving training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, provided kickbacks to a firm and neglected his alternative military duties.

The man, whose name was not disclosed, was assigned to an IT company between January 2003 and November 2005. But he did not work there and kept studying for the judicial exam by paying 40 million won to the company head.

``We confirmed the money transaction from a bank account of a family member to the company. But we'll decide whether to take legal action after further investigation, as he admits his negligence of duties but claims he did not know about the money transaction,'' Han said.

He added it was disappointing that a person who is to become a judicial officer, who should have high moral values, is involved in dereliction of military service.

Since launching the investigation into the illegalities surrounding alternative military service on May 15, the prosecution arrested nine people and charged 23 others without physical detention, including company heads. Of the cases, a total of 63 people were detected to have improperly performed duties and the prosecution requested or will request the manpower administration to cancel contracts of 34 of them.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr