South Korean lawmaker files bill to end automatic military exemption for Asian Games gold
In short
People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young on 7 October filed an amendment to the Military Service Act that would remove the rule placing Asian Games gold medallists in alternative service as arts and sports personnel. Under the bill, only people recognised for special merit, such as markedly raising South Korea's standing, could be placed in that service, and only after a Cabinet decision. The bill follows criticism of the system after the recently ended 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Read the full story 2 min read
Joo Ho-young, a lawmaker of the People Power Party, on 7 October filed as lead sponsor a partial amendment to the Military Service Act that would remove the blanket standard placing Asian Games first-place winners in alternative service as arts and sports personnel, Yonhap and Kukmin Ilbo reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
The amendment would write the eligibility requirements for arts and sports personnel, which are now broadly delegated to presidential decree, directly into law. Under it, only people recognised for special merit, such as markedly raising South Korea's standing in the arts or sports, could be placed in the service, and only after a decision by the Cabinet. Kukmin Ilbo described this as a substantial tightening of the procedure. [ 1 , 2 ]
The current Military Service Act allows people with talent in the arts or sports who meet requirements set by presidential decree to serve as arts and sports personnel. According to Kukmin Ilbo, the enforcement decree names Olympic finishers of third place or better and Asian Games first-place winners as eligible. Chosun Ilbo said the system is run by the Military Manpower Administration to let arts and sports specialists who contributed to national prestige and cultural development work in their field instead of serving in the military. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Kukmin Ilbo reported that remarks about military exemption by some athletes at the recently ended 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games drew controversy and criticism that the system does not meet public expectations. Yonhap said criticism had been raised since the Asian Games over whether the system meets public standards of fairness and equity in military duty. Chosun Ilbo reported that inappropriate remarks about military service by some players after the men's football team under Lee Min-sung won a fourth consecutive title caused public anger, and that the National Assembly was moving quickly on legislation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
"Military service is one of the most basic and serious duties given to citizens of the Republic of Korea, so exceptions to it should also be recognised only to a minimum, under strict and fair standards the public can fully accept," Joo said, according to Yonhap and Kukmin Ilbo. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The current enforcement decree lets Asian Games winners and Olympic bronze medallists or better serve in their field instead of regular military duty, and the bill would move the eligibility rules from presidential decree into law. Chosun Ilbo described the arts and sports personnel system as facing a threat to its existence after public anger over some athletes' remarks.
Key facts
- People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young filed a partial amendment to the Military Service Act on 7 October. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The bill would delete the blanket standard that places Asian Games first-place winners in alternative service as arts and sports personnel. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Eligibility requirements now delegated broadly to presidential decree would be set out directly in law. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Only people recognised for special merit, such as markedly raising South Korea's standing in arts or sports, could be placed in the service, after a Cabinet decision. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The current enforcement decree names Olympic third place or better and Asian Games first place as eligible. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Criticism of the system arose after the recently ended 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where some athletes' remarks about military exemption became controversial. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reported that inappropriate remarks about military service by some players followed the men's football team's fourth consecutive title under coach Lee Min-sung. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Joo Ho-young of the People Power Party filed a Military Service Act amendment on 7 October to end the uniform placement of Asian Games gold medallists as arts and sports personnel. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Under the bill, placement would be limited to people with recognised special merit and would require a Cabinet decision. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The bill follows criticism of the system raised around the recent Asian Games. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the bill has support from other parties or the government, and when it might be considered. None of the documents report reactions from other lawmakers, the government or the Military Manpower Administration, or a schedule for review.
- Which athletes made the remarks and what they said. Kukmin Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo refer to remarks by some athletes without naming them or quoting them; Chosun Ilbo links them to the men's football team.
- Whether the bill would change the treatment of Olympic medallists. The documents say the bill removes the Asian Games standard and sets a special-merit test, but do not say explicitly how Olympic medallists would be treated.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 7 October: Kukmin Ilbo reports that Joo Ho-young has filed a bill to abolish the Asian Games military service exemption. [ 1 ]
- 7 October: Yonhap reports the filing of the Military Service Act amendment. [ 2 ]
- 8 October: Chosun Ilbo reports the bill amid public anger over some players' remarks after the men's football title. [ 3 ]