South Korean Asian Games footballers’ joy over military exemptions raises ire

What was meant to be a few glorious moments could spark policy reform in South Korea after post-match comments from a couple of gold-medal-winning footballers triggered heated debate.

South Korea beat hosts Japan 1-0 at the Toyota Stadium to win their fourth straight – and seventh overall – men’s football title at the Asian Games, leading to 20 of the 23-strong squad earning exemptions from military service.

While the exemption was not an exclusive perk for the country’s footballers but for all athletes who win gold medals at the regional games, or reach the podium at the Olympic Games, it was the comments of two current players that fuelled the latest round of debates about the 53-year-old policy.

“Medals and trophies don’t matter; our only reward is exemption from military service,” midfielder Yang Minh-yeok said.

Team captain Lee Gi-hyuk – who reportedly had to report to the army in nine days – said “I don’t have to report to the army now!” while waving his gold medal.

Nineteen-year-old defender Park Seung-soo also showed off his cap signalling his exemption on social media on the night of the victory.

In response to those comments, South Korean lawmaker An Cheol-su on Sunday asked: “Is the military a despicable place?

“The Asian Games’ exemption from military service should now be reconsidered. It’s truly heartbreaking that a member of the national team, an athlete who fights under the Taegeukgi flag, would have such limited awareness,” he said.

“It was practically a blatant mockery; even the team captain boasted in an official interview that he ‘didn’t have to serve in the military’. They have completely forgotten the respect and affection that this country and its people once gave them because of that ‘glorious goal’.

“Aren’t there many athletes who win gold medals without being exempt from military service? It’s simply outrageous to grant military service exemptions to national team members who bring shame to the country and despise the military.”

The 26-year-old Lee, a defender who plays in the domestic K League, has since apologised for “the thoughtless remarks I made and the way I behaved after the match, things I should not have said or done, both as captain and as a player”.

In a statement on Instagram he said he was “caught up in the happiness, adrenaline and excitement of the moment”.

“I am deeply sorry to the fans who are currently fulfilling their military duty, as well as to all those who sincerely supported us,” he said.

“As an adult I should have thought carefully before speaking. I deeply regret having spoken so carelessly, and I will continue to reflect on my actions.

“I sincerely apologise to all the fans who have supported us wholeheartedly and who are doing their utmost to fulfil their military duty.”

In 1973, then-president Park Chung-hee introduced a military service exemption and reduction system for elite South Korean athletes and artists.

The policy allowed athletes to earn alternative service or exemptions by winning a gold medal at the Asian Games, or a medal of any colour at the Olympics. Under this framework, qualifying medallists had to complete only basic military training and a brief period of community service instead of full active-duty military service.

Current key figures in the South Korean football team, including the likes of Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in, were examples of players who resolved their military service issues by winning Asian Games gold medals.

Needless to say, the players’ comments immediately caused an uproar among South Korean social media users.

“The South Korean football team has found a way to win gold medals and still get criticised: abolish military service exemptions! Those soldiers who diligently serve in the military must be furious,” said one commentator.

Another said: “The system was established 50 years ago, when people all over the world couldn’t distinguish between North and South Korea. Now, winning a gold medal only pleases the person involved; the general public isn’t even that interested.

“K-pop and K-culture are what enhance our country’s prestige. Of the 20 million foreign tourists who visit South Korea annually, at least 50 per cent are directly or indirectly influenced by K-culture.”

There were also comments suggesting that the military service exemption should be granted to only “the top three best players” in the final.

While their neighbours were busy arguing about whether Asian Games medallists should be exempted from military service, Chinese social media users somehow found a way to belittle those who performed better than them.

A Weibo post titled “Only the Japanese team could not smile during the Asian Games men’s football awards ceremony” was among the hot topics, suggesting that China were happy to be back on the podium after 28 years.

It came after China drew 2-2 with Uzbekistan before winning on penalties to claim bronze in the men’s football event. The last time the Chinese men’s football team were on the Asian Games podium was in 1998, when they beat Thailand 3-0 in the play-off.

“Hopefully, we can win silver or gold next time. Although the chances are slim, it still gives people a glimmer of hope,” said one Weibo user.

Referring to China’s senior team losing 5-0 to Pakistan in Chongqing on Friday, another Weibo user said: “I suggest that the senior national team be disbanded here and now and this U23 team be promoted directly.”