South Korea vows review of athlete military exemptions after Asian Games backlash
Reaction follows national football team members focusing on military service exemptions rather than medal, taking photo with military discharge cap
South Korea on Wednesday vowed to review the military service exemption system for talented athletes and artists after a backlash over remarks and actions by some South Korean gold medalists at the Asian Games.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Chae Hwi-young said his ministry would “listen to the views of the sports and arts communities and consult with the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration to devise comprehensive measures on the issue, as it has raised concerns among the public,” according to Yonhap News Agency.
Some members of the under-23 national men’s football team came under fire after they appeared to flaunt their military service exemptions following their gold medal victory at the Asian Games on Saturday, reigniting a long-running debate over the fairness of the exemption system.
Following the match, national team member Yang Min-hyeok said he was focused on securing a military service exemption rather than winning a medal, while teammate Park Seung-soo posted a photo wearing a cap typically worn by those who have completed their military service. The remarks and post drew public criticism.
South Korea requires able-bodied men to complete 18 to 21 months of mandatory military service, while artists and athletes receiving top awards at government-designated competitions, including Olympic medals or Asian Games gold, are eligible for exemption.
Chae said that while the exemption system had helped athletes and artists with outstanding abilities maintain and develop their skills, “the public perceptions of military service and the value placed on fairness seem to have changed considerably with the times.”
The Defense Ministry said Tuesday that it was considering scaling back or abolishing the exemption system, citing fairness among those subject to mandatory military service and the declining number of people available for military service, among other factors.
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