‘Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung Says He Doesn’t Mind Taking 2-Year Break To Complete Mandatory Military Service

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When the news broke that Chan Sung Jung would be taking a two-year sabbatical from MMA to finish his mandatory military service (something that is required of every South Korean male citizen), you could forgive him if he was disappointed by the news. Interestingly enough, however, the fighter seems at peace with his next step.

MMAFighting.com recently talked to the fighter about his break from the Octagon and how he feels about it.

“It’s not something that was a surprise,” Jung said. “Since all able-bodied men are obligated to serve, I knew that it was something that I’d have to do at some point.”

The fighter did say that he was disappointed about not being able to be a part of the UFC’s first foray into South Korea.

“I was hoping to delay my service until after the South Korean event, but that wasn’t possible,” Jung said. “It’s something that the UFC has been wanting to do for a few years now and something that I was really looking forward to. So, yeah, it’s going to be really tough for me to watch that one.”

For fans who are worried about where Jung was assigned, that seems to be the silver lining as he was given a desk job because of the various injuries he has suffered.

“I’ll be working in my local district office. As I told you before, because of several surgeries that I had, I was given a government office job. I’m not sure exactly what I’ll be doing there, though.”