S Korea signals military exemption cuts for athletes

The reward of a military service exemption for gold medal-winning South Korean athletes could be abolished or reduced in future after public backlash to some controversial comments from winners at the Asian Games.

Three players from the men’s soccer team came under fire for comments following South Korea’s 1-0 win over Japan in the Asian Games final last weekend in Japan.

All three apologized, but a broader debate had already reignited over whether athletes should receive special treatment for sporting achievements, particularly as ordinary citizens — and even members of BTS, the globally famous K-pop group — had to complete their mandatory service.

Gold medalist South Korea’s Eom Ji-sung, left, takes a selfie with teammates after winning the men’s soccer final against Japan during the Asian Games in Toyota, Japan, on Saturday last week.

Photo: Reuters

Criticism intensified on Tuesday and, yesterday, South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young told the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee that the alternative military service exemption system for artists and athletes “will inevitably have to be scaled back.”

“It is true that the system has contributed to helping outstanding artists and athletes maintain and develop their abilities,” Cho said. “However, the values attached to fairness and public perceptions of military service have changed. I agree that the system should be comprehensively reviewed once again.”

Most South Korean men must start 18 to 21 months of military service by the age of 28. However, since 1973, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service which consists of three weeks of basic training.

Three of the soccer players, including Yang Min-hyuk, who assisted the winning goal against Japan, made comments that were viewed as insensitive.

“The medal and winning the championship weren’t important. I played the game with only one thing in mind — the reward of a military-service exemption,” said Yang, who joined Tottenham Hotspur last year and is currently on loan at Belgian club Westerlo.

Newcastle United midfielder Park Seung-soo posted a photo on social media showing him wearing a cap associated with soldiers who have completed their service. In a post-match interview, captain Lee Gi-hyuk held up his gold medal and said: “I’m not going to the military.”

A number of politicians, including Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party, said it was time to change.

“Some players’ remarks after the match were outrageous,” Ahn posted on social media. “Even the captain bragged about not having to serve in the military. Are all the young people who enlist every year fools?”

Former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min said the flippant comments had provoked resentment and asked: “Is it really fair that BTS has to serve in the military while Asian Games gold medalists are exempt?”

In a Korea Herald editorial on Tuesday, the newspaper declared that the practice was outdated.

“South Korea now stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s leading nations,” the newspaper said. “The days when finishing first in Asia could meaningfully enhance the country’s national prestige are long gone. It is time to reconsider.”

That was the message from South Korean Ministry of National Defense spokeswoman Chung Binna during a news briefing in Seoul.

“Ultimately, we have plans to cut back or scrap the supplementary service, including one designed for artists and athletes,” Chung said.

The soccer players were among many winners from the Asian Games who qualified for the military exemption.

Golfer Tom Kim on Saturday won the men’s singles after flying across the Pacific when the Presidents Cup competition ended so he could compete in Japan. Asked about the military exemption, he took the gold-medal approach.

“I’m more proud that I’m able to bring a medal for my country,” he said.

Sixteen South Korea baseball players are also exempt after defeating Japan 3-1 in the Asian Games final. So are three South Koreans who won gold in e-sports, an event at the Asian Games.