South Korea to review athlete military exemptions after Asian Games backlash

South Korea's government has announced a review of military service exemptions for athletes following criticism of members of its Asian Games gold medal-winning men's football team. BBC Sport reported on Wednesday that the culture, sports and tourism minister intended to reconsider the longstanding system after players celebrated avoiding conventional military service.

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The controversy followed South Korea's victory over host nation Japan in the final. Captain Lee Gi-hyuk was criticised after holding up his medal and announcing that he would not be going into the military. He subsequently apologised. The BBC reported that the minister criticised Lee's comments while acknowledging that the exemption system had helped outstanding athletes and artists continue developing their abilities.

The review will involve discussions beyond the sports ministry. According to Yonhap, the minister told a parliamentary audit on October 7 that officials would seek views from the sports and arts communities and consult the defence ministry and Military Manpower Administration. The aim is to prepare comprehensive measures in response to public concerns, rather than simply address the conduct of individual players.

Lawmakers also questioned how the benefits are distributed between sports. Yonhap reported that one legislator said football and baseball accounted for 36 of the 43 athletes eligible for the benefit at this year's Asian Games. The minister acknowledged that attitudes towards fairness and military service had changed, even as he recognised the system's role in supporting talented competitors.

The benefits do not remove every service obligation. CNA reported that eligible athletes must undertake three weeks of basic training and complete 544 hours of community service over 34 months. Olympic medallists and Asian Games gold medallists can qualify, whereas able-bodied South Korean men generally face between 18 and 21 months of conventional military service.

The defence ministry had already said on October 6 that it was considering reducing or abolishing the arrangements, according to CNA. Its review will consider public opinion, fairness and the shrinking number of men available for military service. The ministry gave no timetable. The announcements therefore signal a possible change to future sporting benefits, not a confirmed abolition of the current scheme.