Is Military Exemption a "Reward" and Enlistment a "Punishment"? Calls Grow to Reconsider Exemption System

[Anchor]

Some members of the national football team, who earned military service exemptions by winning a gold medal at the Asian Games, have faced criticism for remarks and actions that seemed to trivialize the mandatory duty of national defense. Voices are now calling for a reevaluation of whether the social consensus supporting military service exemptions remains valid.

Reporter Lee Jeong-Chan has the details.

[Reporter]

When the final whistle blew to mark the end of an intense, fierce battle and a 1-0 victory was secured, the players who achieved an unprecedented fourth consecutive championship shed heavy tears.

Celebratory parties followed in various places, but the actions and remarks of some players who benefited from military service exemptions through this victory sparked a backlash.

Nineteen-year-old youngest member Park Seung-soo drew criticism for mocking military service by posting a certification photo wearing a so-called military discharge cap. Meanwhile, remarks by team captain Lee Gi-hyuk, who had been facing imminent enlistment in the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, further fueled the controversy.

[Lee Gi-hyuk / Captain, Men's Asian Games Football Team : This was a really important tournament regarding military exemption, especially since enlistment was right around the corner for me. (Is it heavy?) I'm not going to the military.]

Lee Gi-hyuk apologized on behalf of the national team immediately upon arrival yesterday (the 4th), but the inspiration and emotion of the players' fighting spirit, shown just a day prior, had already grown ice-cold.

[I truly and sincerely want to apologize to everyone currently fulfilling their military service duties. All the players are reflecting on this. I am sorry.]

Previously, the national baseball team also drew public anger by ignoring criticisms regarding their performance and emphasizing only the result of winning the gold medal.

[Noh Si-hwan / Captain, Asian Games Baseball Team : As you can see, we achieved five consecutive titles, and without paying attention to any of those criticisms, we proudly hung the gold medals around our necks….]

As players continue to display attitudes that treat military service as if it were a form of punishment, growing voices are demanding a complete overhaul of the military exemption system.

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo pointed out, "Military exemptions are undeserving for national athletes who look down on the military." Lawmaker Na Kyung-won also added, "The problem is not the players, but the outdated system," stating that a responsible overhaul of the system must begin.

(Photo: Yonhap News / Video reporting: Yoo Dong-hyuk, Video editing: Lee Sang-min, Design: Park Taeyoung, Video source: Instagram playkfa and thekfa, X (formerly Twitter) @wiriness)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.