MC Mong ruled unable to be enlisted

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Mon, October 2, 2023 | 20:51

MC Mong ruled unable to be enlisted

Posted : 2011-06-28 20:02

Updated : 2011-06-28 20:02

Singer and TV personality MC Mong, who had been cleared of military service law violation charges, will not be able to join the army due to an upper age limit despite his wish to do so.

Singer MC Mong

By Kim Rahn

Singer and TV personality MC Mong, who had been cleared of military service law violation charges, will not be able to join the army due to an upper age limit despite his wish to do so.

The Ministry of Government Legislation looked into the 32-year-old entertainer’s case Tuesday and concluded that he can’t be conscripted.

MC Mong was earlier given a suspended jail term for obstructing public servants’ operations by applying for state exams in an attempt to dodge conscription. But he was acquitted of charges that he intentionally had healthy teeth extracted to avoid mandatory service due to a lack of evidence.

The ministry said even if a man who was not subject to conscription due to illness cures the disease and wants to get conscripted as a soldier on active duty, he can’t be recruited when he is over 31 years old, the age limit for the military service obligation for men.

The age limit rises to 36 for those who are caught dodging conscription or who have other problems being conscripted at the given age limit of 31.

“The duty for military service is a constitutional one, not a right. Under the conscription system, a person has the obligation according to the procedure and criteria set by the law regardless of his intention. He doesn’t have the right to choose whether to be enlisted or not,” an official of the ministry said.

After being cleared of the military law violation in April, MC Mong said in a press briefing that he would fulfill his duty if there is a legal way to do so.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr