Bill to scrap automatic military exemption for Asian Games gold medalists introduced amid player backlash

Before South Korea's men's football team could fully celebrate its fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal, careless remarks by some players about the accompanying military service exemption drew a public backlash. The National Assembly has since taken notice, with a bill introduced to abolish the blanket rule that automatically grants arts and sports personnel status to Asian Games gold medalists.

People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young submitted the amendment to the Military Service Act as its lead sponsor.

The bill would require that eligibility criteria for arts and sports personnel — currently delegated broadly to presidential decree — be spelled out explicitly in statute. It would also allow individuals deemed to have rendered special merit, such as significantly elevating South Korea's standing in the arts or sports, to be inducted as arts and sports personnel through a Cabinet vote.

Under current law, people with special skills in the arts or sports who meet requirements set by presidential decree may be designated as arts and sports personnel.

The existing enforcement decree of the Military Service Act designates those who finish first at the Asian Games as eligible for that status.

The recent Asian Games have stoked controversy, however, over whether the current arts and sports personnel system meets the public's expectations for fairness and equity in military service obligations.

"Military service is one of the most fundamental and serious duties imposed on citizens of the Republic of Korea," Joo said. "Exceptions to that duty must be recognized to the minimum extent, based on strict and fair standards that the public can fully accept."

The under-23 national football team, led by head coach Lee Min-sung, defeated Japan 1-0 in the final held Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, with a second-half winner from Eom Ji-sung of Swansea City.

Team captain Lee Ki-hyeok of Gangwon FC said in a post-match interview that had the team not won gold, he would have had just nine days left before having to report for military service back in South Korea. "For the players, this was a tournament where the military exemption really mattered," he said. "For me in particular, it was an especially immediate reality."

"I was desperate — truly desperate. My heart felt heavy, but now that burden has been lifted, and that means a great deal," Lee added with a smile. "I'm not going to the army."

Yang Min-hyeok of Beerschot, who also started against Japan, said he did not think medals or trophies were what mattered. "There was the reward of a military exemption, and I think I played with only that in mind," he added.

Park Seung-su of Newcastle United in the English Premier League posted a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap after the gold medal win.

Upon returning to Incheon International Airport with the squad Sunday, Lee Ki-hyeok met with reporters and apologized, saying he should have been more mindful of the weight of his words as captain and that he had not taken the duty of national defense lightly, Yonhap reported.