South Korean footballer sticks tongue out at camera after Asian Games gold medal ceremony

Park Seung-su, the South Korean footballer who plays for Newcastle United, is facing fresh backlash after a video of his behavior at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games medal ceremony spread online, adding to criticism he drew for posting a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap after winning gold.

The short clip, which circulated across online communities and social media platforms Thursday, shows Park sticking his tongue out at the camera immediately after receiving his gold medal at the men's football medal ceremony on Saturday.

In the video, the other players stood at attention and received their medals with composure.

Park, however, had been conspicuously eyeing the camera even before his turn came. The moment the gold medal was placed around his neck, he abruptly thrust his tongue out toward the camera — a gesture typically associated with childish taunting — while wearing the national team uniform at an international competition's medal ceremony.

Yang Min-hyeok, standing beside Park, quietly smiled at the sight.

Online commenters reacted with sharp criticism. "He doesn't deserve to represent the national team," wrote one user. Others called for him to be stripped of his national team status and drafted into active military service, dubbed him "the nation's most disliked figure," and demanded that the military service exemption tied to Asian Games gold medals be abolished.

Earlier, Park had sparked a separate controversy when he posted a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap on his personal social media account immediately after the team's victory in the final, drawing accusations of mocking military service.

The following day, Park issued an apology. "I would like to apologize to the fans regarding the photo I posted on social media right after the final," he said. "I am truly sorry to anyone who felt uncomfortable because of my actions."

He explained that a fan at the venue had handed him the cap right after the match ended. "The joy and overwhelming emotion of winning the gold medal as the result of all the time and effort I had put in was so great that, in that moment, I posted the photo without thinking deeply about the meaning of the cap," he said.

Park added that he had never intended to mock those serving in the military or to take their hard work lightly. "I have never once taken the meaning of wearing the national team badge lightly," he said.

"I am well aware that the opportunity and benefits granted by this gold medal are by no means something to be taken for granted," he said, and went on to say he would "show a more responsible side going forward to live up to the support and expectations of the public."

On the same day, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min bowed in apology. "On behalf of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, I offer my sincere apologies to the public and to the members of the armed forces who were hurt by the careless remarks of some athletes," he said.

The Korea Football Association also issued a statement, offering "a deep apology to the many members of the public and active-duty service members who were disappointed and hurt by the careless words, actions and interviews of some players." The association said it would strengthen character and ethics education for national team members and work to ensure players' conduct does not fall short of public expectations and social standards.