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Petition seeks to end military service exemptions for Korean athletes, artists
Версия 2: More outlets reported the petition and added details on the players involved, their clubs and ages, and the team's fourth consecutive Asian Games title, while the petition's status remained unchanged at 100 pre-agreements pending a public-disclosure review.
Коротко
A petition calling for the abolition of military service exemptions for entertainers and athletes was posted on the National Assembly's public petition site on October 5, after remarks and social media posts by some of South Korea's Asian Games men's football gold medalists drew criticism. The petitioner argued that exempting winners of a few competitions no longer persuades the public, and asked whether young people such as BTS would have been more deserving. The petition has 100 pre-agreements and is under review for public disclosure; 50,000 agreements within 30 days would send it to a standing committee.
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A petition calling for the abolition of military service exemptions for entertainers and athletes was posted on the National Assembly's public petition site on October 5, after controversy over remarks and social media posts by some members of South Korea's Asian Games men's football team. The petition is titled “예능·체육인의 병역면제 제도 폐지에 관한 청원”, according to Asia Economy, Maeil Business, Newsis and Hankook Ilbo. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The petitioner argued that exemptions had once helped publicise South Korea abroad and served as a strong incentive for musicians and athletes who won at competitions such as the Olympics and Asian Games, but said the country is now an economic and military power and Korean culture has spread worldwide. Granting exemptions to winners of a few competitions on the grounds of national prestige “no longer persuasively reaches the public”, the petitioner said. The petitioner also asked whether young people such as BTS would have been more deserving than Asian Games winners whom “no one in the West knows or pays attention to”. Maeil Business and Newsis reported the petitioner saying that only a few concentrated sports and fields have benefited, and that fairness and favouritism disputes have persisted. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Maeil Business reported that the petitioner cited a specific incident: a player posting a social media photo wearing a military discharge cap after the football gold medal, which the petitioner said made it hard to hold back anger at the sense that the service of soldiers who devoted their youth was mocked. Asked about arguments that artists and athletes have short careers, the petitioner said deferral or a revised alternative service programme could be studied, according to Maeil Business and Newsis. [ 3 , 4 ]
The controversy followed the Asian Games men's football final on October 3, when South Korea beat Japan 1-0 at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, to win gold, according to Asia Economy and Newsis. Hankook Ilbo said the win was a fourth consecutive Asian Games title for the U-23 team. Asia Economy and Newsis reported that captain Lee Ki-hyuk said in a broadcast interview that enlistment had been nine days away without the gold medal and that “군대 안 갑니다”, that Yang Min-hyeok said he played only for the military exemption, and that Park Seung-su posted a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap. The players later apologised, saying “진심으로 사과드린다”, according to Asia Economy. Hankook Ilbo gave the players' ages and clubs as Park (19, Newcastle United), Lee (26, Gangwon FC) and Yang (20, KVC Westerlo). [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Under the petition procedure, Asia Economy reported that the petition received 100 agreements, making it subject to a review of petition requirements, and that the National Assembly is examining whether to make it public; if published, it would need 50,000 agreements within 30 days to be referred to a standing committee. Maeil Business, Newsis and Hankook Ilbo also reported 100 pre-agreements and a disclosure review, with Hankook Ilbo noting the agreement process is paused during the review. Seoul Shinmun's headline also raised the question of housing subscription benefits given to medal winners alongside military exemptions; the available summary does not elaborate. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Почему это важно
The petition puts South Korea's system of military service exemptions for high-achieving artists and athletes under renewed public scrutiny. Because it was filed through the National Assembly's public petition channel, it could force lawmakers to take a position if it reaches the signature threshold for committee referral. The documents report no government or parliamentary response to the petition's substance.
Ключевые факты
- A petition titled “예능·체육인의 병역면제 제도 폐지에 관한 청원” (petition on abolishing the military service exemption system for entertainers and athletes) was posted on the National Assembly's public petition site on October 5. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- It calls for abolishing military service exemptions granted to artists and athletes for results at competitions such as the Olympics and Asian Games. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The petition was prompted by remarks and social media posts by some players on South Korea's Asian Games men's football team after their gold medal. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The petition received 100 pre-agreements and is under review by the National Assembly for public disclosure. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- It would need 50,000 agreements within 30 days of posting to be referred to the relevant National Assembly standing committee. [ 2 ]
- South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games men's football final on October 3 at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Hankook Ilbo reported the win was the team's fourth consecutive Asian Games title and named the players involved as Park Seung-su (19, Newcastle United), Lee Ki-hyuk (26, Gangwon FC) and Yang Min-hyeok (20, KVC Westerlo). [ 5 ]
- Seoul Shinmun's headline also raised the question of housing subscription benefits given to medal winners, alongside the military exemption issue. [ 6 ]
Подтверждено несколькими источниками
- A petition calling for the abolition of military service exemptions for entertainers and athletes was posted on the National Assembly's public petition site on October 5. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The petition is titled “예능·체육인의 병역면제 제도 폐지에 관한 청원”. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The petition received 100 pre-agreements and a public-disclosure review is under way. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The petition followed controversy over remarks and social media posts by some Asian Games men's football gold medalists. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games men's football final on October 3. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Park Seung-su posted a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap after the gold medal. [ 4 , 5 ]
- Captain Lee Ki-hyuk said in an interview, “군대 안 갑니다”. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Yang Min-hyeok said he played for the military exemption, saying medals and trophies did not matter. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Пока неясно
- Whether the petition will be made public and reach the 50,000 agreements needed for committee referral. The documents describe the procedure and the 100 pre-agreements but report no decision on disclosure or a signature count.
- The identity of the petitioner. Maeil Business refers to the petitioner only as “A”, and other outlets as the writer, with no identifying details.
- Whether the players involved face any disciplinary or administrative consequences. Asia Economy reports only that the players apologised; no federation or military authority action is mentioned.
- The date of the Asian Games men's football final. Asia Economy and Newsis say October 3, while a Hankook Ilbo photo caption says the victory came on the 4th.
- The scope of the housing subscription benefits mentioned by Seoul Shinmun. Seoul Shinmun raises “로또 청약” in its headline only, and no article text is available to explain it.
- Whether the exemption system will be changed. No government or parliamentary response to the petition's substance is reported; the documents cover only its filing and status.
Что пишут местные СМИ
Хронология, местное время
- South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games men's football final at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, winning gold. [ 2 , 4 ]
- A petition calling for the abolition of military service exemptions for entertainers and athletes is posted on the National Assembly's public petition site. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Kukmin Ilbo reports that a petition to abolish the military service exemption has appeared. [ 1 ]
- Asia Economy reports the petition, quoting the petitioner and detailing the players' remarks and posts. [ 2 ]
- Maeil Business reports the petition and the petitioner's account of why it was filed. [ 3 ]
- Newsis reports the petition and the players' conduct after the gold medal. [ 4 ]
- Hankook Ilbo reports the petition and adds the players' ages, clubs and the fourth consecutive Asian Games title. [ 5 ]
- Seoul Shinmun reports the petition, its headline also referring to housing subscription benefits for medal winners. [ 6 ]