By Paul Osborne

South Korean judoka Wang Ki-chun has been detained in a military detention after being caught using his mobile phone during compulsory training ©Getty ImagesFebruary 17 - South Korea's Olympic silver medal winning judoka Wang Ki-chun has been detained in a military detention after using his mobile phone during compulsory training, it has emerged.


Wang, a silver medallist in the under 73 kilogram judo event at Bejing 2008, spent eight days in the military detention centre earlier this year after being caught with the device at the Korea Army Training Centre in Nonsan.

"It is rare for us to detect the usage of mobile phones during the four-week training," an official at the Ministry of National Defence told Reuters.

"But as long as Wang re-enlists and finishes the four-week training all over again, he is off the hook."

Wang Ki-chun (left) won silver in the men's under 73kg judo event at the 2008 Beijing Olympic ©Games Getty ImagesWang Ki-chun (left) won Olympic silver in the men's under 73kg judo event at Beiing 2008 ©Getty Images



All able-bodied South Korean men must serve about two years in the military and they are not allowed to use mobile phones during their service.

However, athletes who win medals at the Olympics or gold at the Asian Games are exempted from active duty as long as they complete four-week basic army training and serve in their sports fields for 34 months.

"We are just following the instructions that are universally applied to all soldiers," the official added.

"We did not and do not give him special treatment just because he is a national team athlete."

Wang is now reported to be at home waiting for his re-enlistment date.

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