Former South Korean soldier disabled by snake diet

SEOUL, May 30 (Reuters) - A Seoul court has said a former South Korean soldier who fell ill after eating raw snakes during survival training is entitled to special benefits.

The court ruled earlier this week that the soldier, only identified by his family name Lee, suffered a parasitic infection by eating uncooked snakes during training in a special warfare unit where he was left in the field with no food.

Lee, who served from 1973-1979, said he began suffering severe stomach ailments and pain in his legs about four years ago due to the infection. Lee underwent surgery twice due to the ailments, according to court documents.

Lee's lawyer argued that the parasitic infection was linked to eating snakes while the defence argued the infection could have come from a number of sources and may not have taken place while he was a soldier.

Lee can now receive benefits given to those who contributed or sacrificed for the country, the court said.

Military service is compulsory for men in South Korea, which is technically still at war with North Korea.