Sport · Singapore Bureau
South Korea football captain apologises for military service exemption remarks
The captain of South Korea's Asian Games gold medal-winning football team has expressed regret over comments celebrating his exemption from mandatory military service. The apology comes amid public criticism over the athlete's apparent insensitivity regarding a civic duty that affects most South Korean men.
LSN Singapore ·
South Korea's football captain has apologised for remarks about his military service exemption following the national team's gold medal victory at the Asian Games. The player's comments drew sharp criticism from the South Korean public, who viewed the remarks as disrespectful to the millions of men who must complete mandatory military service.
Under South Korean law, men who win gold medals at the Asian Games or Olympics are exempted from the country's mandatory military service requirement, a policy designed to recognise exceptional sporting achievement. The exemption is among the most coveted rewards in South Korean sports, given the significant time commitment of military service.
The captain said he was "deeply sorry" for his earlier statements, acknowledging that his comments had caused offence. He indicated that he did not intend to diminish the importance of military service or show disrespect to those who undertake it.
The incident reflects broader sensitivities in South Korea surrounding military service exemptions and the privileges granted to elite athletes. Public figures in the country typically exercise caution when discussing such exemptions, mindful of the cultural and civic significance attached to military service in South Korean society.