South Korea’s sports minister says the government will review the military service exemption for gold-medal-winning athletes after public backlash to some controversial comments from winners at the Asian Games.
asserted
government → say → Games
Three players from the men’s football team came under fire for comments following South Korea’s 1-0 win over Japan in the Asian Games final last weekend in Japan.
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players → come → Japan
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Ronaldo → sign → Portugal
All three apologised, but a broader debate had already reignited over whether athletes should receive special treatment for sporting achievements, particularly as common citizens, as even members of BTS – the globally famous K-pop group – had to complete their mandatory service.
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members → apologise → service
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the furore surrounding the comments at the Asian Games.
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Sport → take → Games
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young on Wednesday said the alternative military service exemption system for artists and athletes “will inevitably have to be scaled back”.
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system → say → artists
“It is true that the system has contributed to helping outstanding artists and athletes maintain and develop their abilities,” Choi told the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee.
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Choi → contribute → Committee
“However, the values attached to fairness and public perceptions of military service have changed.
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values → attach → service
I agree that the system should be comprehensively reviewed once again.”
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system → agree → ?
What does military service look like in South Korea?
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service → look → Korea
Most South Korean men must complete 18 to 21 months of military service by the age of 28.
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men → complete → 28
Since 1973, however, Olympic medallists and Asian Games gold medallists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service, which consists of three weeks of basic training.
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which → replace → training
What the South Korean football players said about military service
Three of the footballers, including Yang Min-hyuk, who assisted the winning goal against Japan, made comments that were viewed as insensitive.
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that → say → comments
“The medal and winning the championship weren’t important.
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medal → win → championship
I played the game with only one thing in mind – the reward of a military service exemption,” Yang, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2025 and is currently on loan at Belgian club Westerlo, said.
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who → play → 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.
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who → post → service
In a post-match interview, captain Lee Gi-hyuk held up his gold medal and said, “I’m not going to the military.”
asserted
I → hold → military
What has been said elsewhere in South Korea about the controversy?
A number of politicians, including Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party, said it was time to change the system.
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it → say → system
“Some players’ remarks after the match were outrageous,” Ahn posted on social media.
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Ahn → post → media
“Even the captain bragged about not having to serve in the military.
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captain → brag → military
Are all the young people who enlist every year fools?”
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who → enlist → ?
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 medallists are exempt?”
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medallists → say → military
In a Korea Herald editorial on Tuesday, the newspaper declared that the practice was outdated.
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practice → declare → Tuesday
“South Korea now stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s leading nations,” the newspaper said.
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newspaper → stand → nations
“The days when finishing first in Asia could meaningfully enhance the country’s national prestige are long gone.
uncertain
finishing → finish → prestige
It is time to reconsider.”
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It → reconsider → ?
“Ultimately, we have plans to cut back or scrap the supplementary service, including one designed for artists and athletes,” Chung said.
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Chung → have → artists
What other athletes gained military-service exemptions?
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athletes → gain → exemptions
The footballers were among many winners from the Asian Games who qualified for the military exemption.
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who → qualify → exemption
Golfer Tom Kim won the men’s singles on Saturday after flying across the Pacific when the Presidents Cup competition ended so he could compete in Japan.
uncertain
he → win → Japan
Asked about the military exemption, he took the gold-medal approach.
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he → ask → approach
“I’m more proud that I’m able to bring a medal for my country,” he said.
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he → ’m → country
Sixteen South Korean baseball players are also exempt after defeating Japan 3-1 in the Asian Games final.
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players → defeat → final
So are three South Koreans who won gold in esports, an event at the Asian Games.
asserted
who → win → Games
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