Arrest Warrant Sought Over Evasion of Military Duty

Prosecutors Tuesday asked an arrest warrant for a businessman who allegedly helped a renowned Korean pop singer evade compulsory military duty after receiving an advantageous deal from his family.

Park Jae-sang, popularly known as Psy, is suspected of evading the draft after his uncle gave the head of a local software company a handsome contract so Park could get a job there as an alternative to mandatory military service from 2003 to 2005.

South Korea requires all healthy youths to serve in the armed forces for at least two years, but those with technical expertise, especially in information technology, can instead work in companies that serve vital national interests.

The firm run by Park's uncle bought products from the software company at double the listed price as compensation, prosecutors said. Park's uncle has been booked without detention.

The prosecution also said it found no evidence Park was directly involved in the alleged bribery, but maintained he neglected work at the office, having held concerts and appeared in local shows during the employment period.

It plans to ask a military manpower agency for legal action on the alleged dereliction of duty, it said.