South Korea’s U-23 men’s football team secured its fourth Asian Games gold medal with a 1-0 victory over Japan on Oct. 3 at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, but the achievement is now overshadowed by player comments regarding military exemptions. The team, led by manager Lee Min-sung, clinched the title via a second-half goal from Um Ji-sung, according to Gyeongbuk Shinmun.
Player comments spark military service debate
The victory ensured that several players received military service benefits, a reward that became a focal point of post-match interviews and social media posts. Team captain Lee Ki-hyuk told broadcasters that he was particularly desperate for the win because he was scheduled for enlistment just nine days after returning to Korea. Lee stated, “I’m not going to the army,” while holding up the gold medal.
Yang Min-hyuk, who started in the final against Japan, told reporters that he viewed the military exemption as the primary reward, stating that medals or trophies were not as important to him as that specific benefit. Park Seung-su, a Newcastle United player in the English Premier League, also posted a photo on social media wearing a discharge cap, further fueling public criticism.
Political backlash and calls to end exemptions
The remarks prompted immediate criticism from South Korean political figures who questioned whether the athletes view national service with contempt. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party posted on Facebook, asking if the military is a “loathsome facility” and describing the awareness of the national team athletes as “miserable.”
Ahn called for a reconsideration of the military exemption policy for Asian Games winners, arguing that many athletes achieve gold medals without such incentives. This criticism follows a similar controversy involving baseball captain Noh Si-hwan, who previously drew public anger by stating that the result of a gold medal was more important than the process.
Athletes issue public apologies
As the controversy grew, the players issued apologies to the public. Upon returning to Incheon International Airport on Oct. 4, captain Lee Ki-hyuk told reporters that as the captain, he should have considered the weight of his words and denied that he viewed the duty of national defense lightly.
Yang Min-hyuk posted an apology on social media, explaining that his comments were intended to convey that the military benefit was one of several motivations to achieve a better result, but acknowledged that his words were carelessly delivered.
Asian Games military benefit details
| Player/Figure | Controversial Action/Statement | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Ki-hyuk | Stated “I’m not going to the army” | Apologized at Incheon Airport |
| Yang Min-hyuk | Claimed exemption was the only goal | Apologized via social media |
| Park Seung-su | Posted photo in discharge cap | None reported |
| Ahn Cheol-soo | Called for policy reconsideration | N/A |
Common questions about the military exemption controversy
Why is the Asian Games gold medal significant for Korean athletes?
Winning a gold medal at the Asian Games provides athletes with a significant exemption from the mandatory military service required for all South Korean men, allowing them to continue their professional careers without a two-year interruption.
Who was the goal scorer in the final against Japan?
Um Ji-sung of Swansea City scored the winning goal in the second half of the match on Oct. 3, securing the 1-0 victory and the gold medal for the U-23 team.
Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo’s call for a policy review marks a growing tension between the tradition of rewarding athletic excellence and the public perception of mandatory national service.
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