Backlash Mounts as Gold Medalists Boast 'No Military Service': Calls to Overhaul Exemption System

As controversial remarks regarding military service exemptions made by some members of the national football team who won gold at the Asian Games sparked public backlash, calls to overhaul the system are mounting across the political spectrum.

Representative Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party wrote on social media, "While the athletes' hard work should be respected, if the system fails to keep up with the times, even that hard work gets overshadowed by controversies over fairness," arguing that the 53-year-old military exemption system must now be reorganized.

He added, "A gradual overhaul that progressively narrows the eligibility and criteria is a realistic solution."

Representative Min Hong-chul of the Democratic Party also pointed out on social media, "Due to low birth rates, resources for mandatory military service are dwindling by the day, while all young people are promoting national prestige in their respective fields," adding, "Military exemptions are granted to Olympic gold medalists, Asian Games winners, and recipients of grand prizes in various international competitions, but the criteria and equity remain ambiguous."

Calls for systemic reform were also raised within the People Power Party.

Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon stated in a commentary, "Wearing the national flag is not a free pass to evade military service," adding, "We must reexamine whether the current system aligns with the times and the public's common sense."

He went on to write, "If the system is to be maintained by redesigning criteria based on comprehensive factors such as the level of competition across sports and international standing, corresponding service and public responsibility must also be reinforced."

Representative Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party also argued on social media, "Even BTS fulfilled their military service; promoting national prestige alone can no longer convince the public," adding, "It is time to reexamine military exemptions in sports and the arts."

Military service exemptions in the fields of arts and sports were introduced in 1973 with the aim of encouraging the promotion of national prestige through achievements in international competitions.

As voices supporting the reform of military exemptions emerge from individual lawmakers across both ruling and opposition parties, attention is focusing on whether discussions on overhauling the system will gain full steam in the National Assembly.

Reported by Park Se-won | Video by Park Jin-hyung | Design by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.