Oct 8: South Korean Sports Minister Choi Hwi-young says the military service exemption for medal-winning athletes “will inevitably have to be reduced”, days after three footballers apologized for celebrating.
All eligible South Korean men must serve 18 to 21 months before turning 28. Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists, on the other hand, complete several weeks of basic training and community service.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young told a National Assembly committee on Wednesday that the system had helped develop athletes and artists, according to the Associated Press. “However, the values attached to fairness and public perceptions of military service have changed,” he said. “I agree that the system needs to be thoroughly reviewed once again.”
The trigger was the soccer team’s Asian Games victory over Japan, which earned 20 of the 23 exempt players. Tottenham’s Yang Min-hyeok said the “real reward” was the exemption, captain Lee Gi-hyuk openly celebrated and defender Park Seung-soo posted a picture wearing a cap marking his release. All three apologized.
The question is whether the government is reacting to politics or to celebrations.
The case for change is justice. Ordinary young people give up almost two years. Athletes who win a single tournament give up several weeks, and South Korea’s 39 gold medals at this year’s Games, including 16 exemptions for the baseball team alone, means the numbers are not small.
The case against it is that the system works. It allows players like Son Heung-min, who was exempted after the 2018 Asian Games, to build overseas careers during their prime years, which in turn raises the level of the national team. Football careers are short. Losing two years in your twenties can take away one.
Three young players were out of touch at this time. Whether this should reshape a policy that has served Korean sports for decades is the question lawmakers must now answer.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick.Webster, at (email protected)