Controversy over "I'm Not Going to the Military": Both Rival Parties Say Exemptions "Need Overhaul"

[Anchor]

The words and actions of athletes who received military service exemptions after winning gold medals at the recent Asian Games are causing controversy. In response, voices are growing from both the ruling and opposition parties that the military exemption system must be overhauled this time.

Yu Deok-gi reports.

[Reporter]

After receiving military exemption privileges for winning gold medals at the Asian Games, players posted photos wearing military discharge caps, and in post-match interviews, they explicitly talked about draft exemption, stating, "I'm not going to the military."

[Lee Ki-hyuk / Captain, Asian Games Men's Football Team: "This tournament was very important because of military exemptions, and for me, enlistment was right around the corner, so... I'm not going to the military."]

As controversy erupted over the players' attitudes, which seemed to view mandatory military service as a "punishment," calls emerged from across the political spectrum to reform the military exemption system, which was introduced in the 1970s.

Representative Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party of Korea, who serves as the presidential special adviser on national defense policy, emphasized the "sharp decline in military manpower resources" and said, "Both rival parties in the National Assembly's National Defense Committee have shared a consensus that military exemptions should be gradually reduced," proposing a plan for "gradual reform by phasing down the beneficiaries and criteria."

The Democratic Party stated that while an official party position has not yet been finalized, discussion is necessary.

[Shin Hyun-young / Democratic Party Spokesperson: "Even BTS members are fulfilling their military duty, so is it fair for our athletes to receive military exemptions..."]

The People Power Party emphasized that public anger over the words and actions of some athletes is natural, stressing that the military service exemption system must be comprehensively reviewed in a direction that the public can find acceptable.

[Park Sung-hoon / People Power Party Spokesperson: "The glory achieved representing the Republic of Korea must not be turned into an individual's 'success story of escaping the military.'"]

The military exemption issue is expected to be a major point of contention during the National Assembly's parliamentary audit starting today (October 6). With calls from both rival political parties to reduce or redesign the system, attention is focused on whether this will lead to actual institutional reform.

(Video by Oh Young-choon | Video Editing by Nam Il | Design by Kang Yoon-jung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.