Korea players forced to apologise after celebrating avoiding military service

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FT Desk

Three South Korean players have been forced to apologise after they celebrated their exemption from military service.

Under South Korean law, all adult men who are able must serve 18 to 21 months in the military before the age of 28, but those who win gold medals at the Asian Games or the Olympic Games are spared that duty and only need to complete basic training plus 544 hours of community service.

The country won the Asian Games for the fourth time in a row this week, beating Japan 1-0 in the final thanks to a goal from Eom Jisung.

Three players caused controversy afterwards after they were deemed to have celebrated avoiding military service, which is viewed as a privilege in South Korea.

"I don't think the medal or the trophy mattered at all. The real reward for us is the military exemption, so I think we played with only that in mind," Yang Min-hyeok, a 20-year-old winger, said afterwards.

Lee Gi-hyuk, a 26-year-old defender, held up his gold medal to reporters and said, "I'm not going to the military."

Youngster Park Seung-soo, meanwhile, posted a picture of himself on social media showing his cap that signifies the exemption.

All three players have now apologised, but their comments and actions catalysed a debate about military service and whether those who win gold medals should gain an exemption over other people. Even BTS, the hugely popular K-Pop boyband, completed the service.

Rep. Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party, said of BTS:

"When there were few ways to introduce Korea to the world, a single medal amounted to national promotion. That certainly meant something then, but times are different now," Na wrote on Facebook.

"The world knows Korea through K-pop, K-dramas, semiconductors, smartphones and cars."

Former Tottenham star Heung-min Son is an example of a high-profile Korean athlete who earned an exemption after he won the Asian Games in 2018.

There was some controversy caused during the World Cup when South Korea players refused to complete media duties after reports were heard mocking Son's military service on a hot mic.

“The Korea Football Association expresses regret over the inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel during the national football team’s training at the Guadalajara base camp,” the Korean Football Association said in ​a statement ahead of their second group game against co-hosts Mexico.

“With a sense of responsibility to represent South Korea on the ​global stage of the World Cup, the Taegeuk Warriors are doing their best to repay ‌the ⁠support and expectations of the people.

“However, the recent leak of inappropriate conversations between some media officials at a training site caused great shock and disappointment to the team.”