Democratic Party leader says arts, sports military service exemptions need major revision
In short
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said the military service exemption for arts and sports personnel needs its targets and methods largely revised or adjusted. The party plans to discuss abolition or reduction bills at the National Assembly Defense Committee before settling a party position, a spokesperson said. The debate follows remarks about military service by under-23 national football team players at the Asian Games.
Read the full story 2 min read
Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, said the military service exemption granted to arts and sports personnel should be overhauled, saying that “times have changed and the country’s standing has changed” and that “there is an awareness that the targets and the methods need to be significantly revised or adjusted.” He made the remarks on October 7 during an appearance on the party’s YouTube channel, Democratic Party TV. Korea Economic Daily framed its headline as asking whether this Asian Games would be the last exemption. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The debate follows remarks by under-23 national football team players at the Asian Games. According to Seoul Economic Daily, one player said in a media interview that he was “not going to the army,” and another posted a photo of himself wearing a discharge cap on social media. The remarks prompted growing calls in political circles to re-examine the current exemption system. In the YouTube appearance, the host asked whether applying the exemption to ball sports is appropriate. [ 1 , 3 ]
The party said it will first discuss bills covering the abolition or reduction of the exemption at the National Assembly Defense Committee, and then review the direction of any revision through the floor leadership, the policy committee and the party leadership. Park Sung-joon, the party’s senior spokesperson, told reporters that “there are various controversies over the military service exemption and discussions are under way at the Defense Committee level,” adding that the matter would be discussed further in the committee before being taken up by the floor leadership, the policy committee and the party leadership. He said the Defense Ministry is also raising the issue and that several proposals, including scrapping the exemption for arts and sports personnel, have been put forward at the committee. [ 3 ]
Kim said the current system began as a way of granting benefits for enhancing national prestige. He said opinions range from abolishing the exemption entirely to limiting it for professionals or restricting it by sport, and that several legislative proposals have already been submitted. “It would be good to coordinate within a big framework,” he said, adding that the party had tentatively agreed to leave the review to the members of the relevant standing committee. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The ruling party has put the future of one of South Korea’s most visible military service benefits on the legislative agenda, a change that would affect athletes and artists who trade exemption for national recognition. Any revision would move first through the National Assembly Defense Committee, so the timing and scope remain open.
Key facts
- Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok said the arts and sports military service exemption should be significantly revised or adjusted, citing changed times and the country’s changed standing. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Kim made the remarks on October 7 on the party’s YouTube channel “Democratic Party TV.” [ 1 , 3 ]
- Korea Economic Daily framed its headline as asking whether this Asian Games would be the last exemption. [ 2 ]
- The controversy followed remarks by under-23 national football team players at the Asian Games, including one who said in a media interview that he was “not going to the army” and another who posted a photo of himself wearing a discharge cap on social media. [ 3 ]
- The party said it would first debate abolition and reduction proposals at the National Assembly Defense Committee, then review the matter at the level of the floor leadership, the policy committee and the party leadership. [ 3 ]
- Kim said the system began as a way of granting benefits for enhancing national prestige, and that bills range from abolishing it to limiting it for professionals or restricting it by sport. [ 3 ]
- Party senior spokesperson Park Sung-joon said the Defense Committee is where further discussion should take place before the party leadership takes it up. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the exemption will be abolished, limited to certain sports or kept in a reduced form. Seoul Economic Daily says several bills and opinions exist and that no decision has been made, with only a committee review planned.
- Which specific bills are pending and what each proposes. The documents say multiple legislative proposals exist but do not list or detail them.
- The party said the issue would first be discussed at the National Assembly Defense Committee before a party-level position is decided. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Chosun Ilbo publishes Kim Min-seok’s remarks on revising the arts and sports military service exemption. [ 1 ]
- Korea Economic Daily publishes its report asking whether this Asian Games will be the last exemption. [ 2 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reports the party’s plan to review the system at the National Assembly Defense Committee and quotes senior spokesperson Park Sung-joon. [ 3 ]