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South Korea weighs ending military service exemptions for athletes and artists
Коротко
South Korea’s Defense Ministry said on October 6 that it is considering tightening or abolishing the military service exemption granted to athletes and artists, after some Asian Games gold medalists said exemption mattered more to them than a gold medal. The comments followed South Korea’s 1-0 win over Japan in the Asian Games men’s football final on October 3, in which 20 of the 23 squad members qualified for the exemption. The ministry said it will weigh fairness, the shrinking pool of conscripts and public consensus.
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South Korea’s Defense Ministry said on October 6 that it is considering tightening or even abolishing the military service exemption granted to athletes and artists, according to reports by CLS and Jiemian. The ministry’s review follows remarks by some Asian Games gold medalists that exemption from service mattered more to them than a gold medal, which the reports describe as inappropriate comments that drew strong public dissatisfaction in South Korea. [ 2 , 4 ]
Defense Ministry spokesperson Jung Bin-na said at a regular briefing on October 6 that the ministry regrets the comments by “some people in the sports world” and hopes that serving soldiers and reservists receive public respect, Jiemian reported. She said the ministry would take into account fairness, the declining number of people available for service and public consensus, and would eventually tighten or abolish the exemption for athletes and artists in a planned way. [ 4 ]
The comments came after South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in the men’s football final at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on October 3. According to Jiemian, 20 of the 23 squad members became eligible for the exemption, which replaces military service with basic military training and community service. Some players said after the win that they were more focused on whether they would be exempted from service than on the gold medal or trophy, the report said. [ 4 ]
Jiemian, citing Yonhap, said South Korea operates mandatory conscription under which all healthy adult men must serve 18 to 21 months. Artists and athletes who win top prizes in government-designated domestic and international competitions can mostly be exempted. The report was attributed to Xinhua. CLS and Yicai carried shorter items on the same development, with Yicai’s version consisting of a single line. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Почему это важно
The exemption is a long-standing incentive for South Korean athletes and artists in government-designated competitions, and the ministry’s review puts it in question. The debate also touches on fairness in a country where all healthy adult men must serve 18 to 21 months, as the documents note. No timetable for a decision is given.
Ключевые факты
- South Korea’s Defense Ministry said on October 6 that it is considering tightening or abolishing the military service exemption for athletes and artists, according to CLS and Jiemian. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The review followed remarks by some Asian Games gold medalists that exemption from military service mattered more than a gold medal, which the ministry called inappropriate. [ 2 , 4 ]
- South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games men’s football final on October 3 in Aichi-Nagoya. [ 4 ]
- Twenty of the 23 squad members became eligible for the exemption, which replaces military service with basic training and community service. [ 4 ]
- Defense Ministry spokesperson Jung Bin-na said at a regular briefing that the ministry regrets the remarks and hopes serving soldiers and reservists receive public respect. [ 4 ]
- Under South Korean conscription, all healthy adult men must serve 18 to 21 months, while artists and athletes who win top prizes in government-designated competitions can mostly be exempted, according to Yonhap. [ 4 ]
Подтверждено несколькими источниками
Пока неясно
- Whether the exemption will be abolished, tightened or kept, and on what timetable. The ministry said only that it is considering the move and plans to eventually tighten or abolish the system; no decision or date is given.
- Which players made the remarks and exactly what they said. The documents refer only to “some players” and “some gold medalists” without naming them or quoting them directly.
- Whether the players or the football association have responded to the criticism. No reaction from the players or the team is reported in the documents.
Что пишут местные СМИ
Хронология, местное время
- South Korea beats Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games men’s football final in Aichi-Nagoya; 20 of the 23 squad members qualify for the military service exemption. [ 4 ]
- Defense Ministry spokesperson Jung Bin-na says at a regular briefing that the ministry regrets the players’ remarks and is considering tightening or abolishing the exemption for athletes and artists. [ 4 ]
- CLS reports the ministry’s position. [ 2 ]
- Yicai carries a one-line item on the same development. [ 3 ]
- Jiemian publishes a fuller report citing Xinhua and Yonhap. [ 4 ]