As Jung Il Woo prepares for his enlistment this December, it was revealed that the South Korean actor is suffering from a serious brain injury that prevents him from serving as an active duty soldier.
Jung Il Woo's management agency announced that he is indeed scheduled to enlist this December, although the specific date was not revealed. Koreaboo reported that the "High Kick" actor will serve as a public service worker instead of going on active duty.
Jung's agency explained that the actor got into a car accident in 2006 during which he was diagnosed with a concussion and cerebral hemorrhaging, Soompi reported. He also suffered localized amnesia or memory loss due to the incident. He was hospitalized for seven months due to the accident.
However, three years ago, Jung Il Woo complained of frequent headaches and a medical examination showed that he has cerebral aneurysm.
Cerebral aneurysm has a fatality rate of 30 to 40 percent. According to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, aneurysm could burst and bleed into the brain and could lead to complications such as hemorrhagic stroke, permanent nerve damage or even death. Additional aneurysm may also occur through the patient's lifetime.
Although a reexamination for his aneurysm could be an available ground to exempt him from compulsory enlistment, Jung Il Woo is determined to push through with his mandatory service.
"Though he regrets not being able to enlist as an active duty soldier, he will be doing his best as a public service worker," the actor's agency said in a statement. "Jung Il Woo is sad that he is unable to properly greet his loving fans. Please send him a lot of love and support."
Before he goes through a four-week training program prior to starting his service, Jung Il Woo went to Japan to meet his fans through his final fan meeting before enlisting.
