After defeating Japan to claim their fourth consecutive Asian Games gold medal, the South Korean men's national football team is facing backlash over some players' words and actions concerning military service exemptions.

Park Seung-soo posted a photo on his social media wearing what is known as a "discharge cap," typically worn by soldiers upon completing their military service. He put on the cap immediately after becoming eligible for the military service exemption.

Following public criticism, the photo was deleted.

Yang Min-hyuk's interview remarks also drew fire.

When asked about his thoughts on receiving the medal after the match, Yang said, "Medals and trophies didn't really matter. We played the game with just that one goal in mind: the military service exemption."

Captain Lee Ki-hyuk, who was facing impending enlistment in the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, lifted his gold medal and shouted, "I'm not going to the military!" He shared the following thoughts during an interview:

[Lee Ki-hyuk: Because enlistment was literally right around the corner for me, I always joked about it and emphasized it to the players. The players would say, 'If Ki-hyuk hyung doesn't win a medal today, he enlists in 9 days.'] South Korea defeated Japan 1-0 in the final held on October 3, achieving their fourth consecutive Asian Games men's football title.

As a result, 20 players—excluding Lee Young-jun, Lee Seung-won, and Kim Jun-hong, who have already completed their military service—became eligible for incorporation as arts and sports personnel.

Under the current system, athletes who win a medal of third place or higher at the Olympics or first place at the Asian Games undergo basic military training and then fulfill 544 hours of community service in sports while serving as arts and sports personnel.

The players' remarks have reignited debate over the military service exemption system itself.

A similar controversy arose earlier with the national baseball team after winning the gold medal.

Captain Noh Si-hwan sparked controversy when addressing criticism regarding their performance, saying, "Honestly, I don't care," and "We won anyway, and I think the process doesn't matter."

With the football team's "discharge cap" incident and military-related comments added to the mix, the debate has expanded into whether it is appropriate to maintain the military service benefits currently granted to national athletes.

Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung-min also pointed out that the players' remarks "do not align with public sentiment."

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo criticized the remarks, asking, "Is the military a facility of aversion?" and "Are the countless young men enlisting every year fools?"

He further argued, "The Asian Games military service exemption must now be reconsidered."

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Lee Jeong-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News