October 6 – Three South Korean players, including Tottenham’s Yang Min-hyeok, have apologized to celebrate their exemption from military service after winning gold at the Asian Games.
South Korea beat hosts Japan 1-0 on Saturday to claim a fourth consecutive Asian Games title. Twenty of the 23 players, mostly under the age of 23, are now exempt.
By law, all eligible South Korean men must serve 18 to 21 months before their 28th birthday. Asian Games gold medalists and Olympic medalists complete several weeks of basic training and hours of community service.
Yang, on loan at Westerlo in Belgium, said the “real reward” was the exemption rather than the medal, according to The Korea Times. Captain Lee Gi-hyuk was equally open in his post-match interview, and 19-year-old defender Park Seung-soo posted a picture of himself wearing a cap marking his exemption.
The comments sparked a strong backlash in South Korea and reopened the debate over exemptions for athletes.
All three have apologized. In a lengthy Instagram post, Yang said gold was “never taken for granted,” but admitted the exemption was one of “several motivations.” Golfer Tom Kim also won gold and his military exemption from the Games.
Son Heung-min earned his exemption with gold at the 2018 Asian Games in South Korea. At this summer’s World Cup, players briefly boycotted media duties after reporters were caught on a hot mic mocking Son’s military service at the team’s base in Guadalajara.
