South Korea defense chief says athlete military service exemption to be abolished
In short
South Korea's defense minister, Kang Shin-chul, told a parliamentary audit on Oct 7 that the special exemption from military service for high-achieving athletes and artists should be gradually reduced and ultimately abolished. The review follows criticism in South Korea after the Asian Games men's football team, which beat Japan 1-0 on Oct 3, discussed the exemption in post-match interviews. Korean media cited by Nippon TV also reported that a lawmaker submitted a bill on Oct 6 to scrap the exemption for Asian Games gold medallists.
Read the full story 2 min read
South Korea's defense minister, Kang Shin-chul, told a parliamentary audit on Oct 7 that the special exemption from military service for people with major achievements in sports and the arts should be gradually reduced and ultimately abolished. Nippon TV quoted him saying that gradually shrinking the exception and ultimately ending it is the defense ministry's goal. [ 2 , 3 ]
Under the system described in the documents, South Korean men are subject to compulsory service, while artists with major achievements and athletes who finish third or better at the Olympics or win gold at the Asian Games are effectively exempted as arts and sports personnel. [ 2 , 3 ]
The review follows the Asian Games men's football final on Oct 3 in Nagoya, Aichi, where South Korea beat Japan 1-0. Mainichi reported that captain Lee Gi-hyeok said in a post-match interview that only nine days had remained before enlistment had the team failed to win, and that he was “very pressed and heavy-hearted” but could put the burden down. Nippon TV reported that the captain said he “won’t go to the army” and that another player posted a photo on social media wearing the hat worn at discharge, prompting a wave of criticism in South Korea. Mainichi also reported that the remarks in interviews and social media posts drew criticism and led to apologies. [ 2 , 3 ]
On Oct 6, a Defense Ministry spokesperson said military service is a sacred duty that all members of society should respect together, and that the players' remarks were “very regrettable”, according to Mainichi. The spokesperson said that, taking into account the fairness of military service and a shrinking pool of manpower, the abolition or tightening of the exemption for arts and sports high achievers would be reflected in the Defense Reform Basic Plan and pushed forward. [ 2 ]
Nippon TV, citing South Korean media, reported that a South Korean lawmaker submitted a bill on Oct 6 to scrap the exemption for Asian Games gold medallists, and that debate over the fairness of conscription has become more active. [ 3 ]
Asahi Shimbun's Oct 6 headline said the debate over revising the exemption had reignited in South Korea, framed around a gold medallist's remark that he would not go to the army. Tokyo Shimbun's Oct 7 headline said the stated goal is ultimate abolition and referred to a “heavy price for juniors” after the Asian Games representatives' celebration; only the headline was available for that outlet. [ 1 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The exemption lets Olympic medallists, Asian Games gold medallists and high-achieving artists serve their compulsory duty on effectively non-military terms, so moving to end it would bear directly on a defined group of Korean athletes, artists and future prospects. The dispute also feeds a broader debate about the fairness of conscription, which applies to South Korean men, and the defense ministry says it intends to reflect the change in its Defense Reform Basic Plan.
Key facts
- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said at an Oct 7 parliamentary audit that the goal is to gradually shrink the exemption and ultimately abolish it. [ 2 , 3 ]
- South Korea grants the exemption to artists with major achievements and to athletes who finish third or better at the Olympics or win gold at the Asian Games. [ 2 , 3 ]
- South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games men's football final in Nagoya, Aichi, on Oct 3. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Captain Lee Gi-hyeok said after the final that had the team lost, only nine days remained before enlistment, and described being able to put the burden down. [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV reported the captain said he “won’t go to the army” and that another player posted a photo wearing the hat worn at discharge, drawing criticism in South Korea. [ 3 ]
- A Defense Ministry spokesperson said on Oct 6 that military service is a sacred duty all members of society should respect and called the players' remarks very regrettable. [ 2 ]
- A lawmaker submitted a bill on Oct 6 to abolish the exemption for Asian Games gold medallists, according to Korean media cited by Nippon TV. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said at an Oct 7 parliamentary audit that the exemption should be gradually reduced and ultimately abolished. [ 2 , 3 ]
- South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games men's football final on Oct 3 in Nagoya, Aichi. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The exemption covers high-achieving artists and athletes who win Olympic bronze or better or Asian Games gold. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The football players' remarks about the exemption drew criticism in South Korea. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Exactly what the South Korean captain said about the exemption Mainichi reported he described relief after only nine days remained before enlistment had the team lost, while Nippon TV reported he said he “won’t go to the army”; the two documents characterise the remarks differently.
- Whether and when the exemption will actually be abolished The documents report only the defense minister's stated goal and a submitted bill; no timetable, legislative outcome or detailed plan is given.
- What Asahi Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun reported in detail Only the headlines were available for these two outlets, so their specifics could not be used.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games men's football final in Nagoya, Aichi; captain Lee Gi-hyeok spoke about the military service exemption in post-match interviews. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Defense Ministry spokesperson said military service is a sacred duty all members of society should respect and called the players' remarks very regrettable, saying the abolition or tightening of the arts and sports exemption would be reflected in the Defense Reform Basic Plan. [ 2 ]
- A South Korean lawmaker submitted a bill to abolish the exemption for Asian Games gold medallists, according to Korean media cited by Nippon TV. [ 3 ]
- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul told a parliamentary audit that the exemption would be gradually reduced and ultimately abolished. [ 2 , 3 ]