South Korea Captain 'Deeply Sorry' for Gloating About Military Exemption
Lee Gi-hyuk apologized after saying South Korea’s gold medal meant he would avoid military service, a remark that drew criticism over a sensitive exemption rule.
- On Oct 3, South Korea defeated Japan 1-0 in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games football final. Following the victory, team captain Lee Gi-hyuk sparked public controversy by boasting that his gold medal exempted him from mandatory military service.
- Able-Bodied South Korean males must perform between 18 months and two years of military service before age 28. However, the government grants exemptions to Olympic and Asian Games medalists, who instead complete only weeks of basic training.
- Lee, a 26-year-old League defender, apologized on Instagram on Oct 4 for being "caught up in the happiness, adrenaline and excitement of the moment." Golfer Tom Kim also secured a military exemption after winning gold on Oct 3.
- Military exemptions remain a highly sensitive topic in South Korea, where athletes usually shy away from discussing the benefit. Lee expressed deep regret, stating, "I am deeply sorry to the fans who are currently fulfilling their military duty."
- The incident reveals broader tension surrounding military exemption policy for national representatives. Lee pledged to reflect on his actions, emphasizing he should have considered carefully before speaking as both captain and player.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The Korea Times
South Korea captain 'deeply sorry' for gloating about military exemption
South Korea's Asian Games football captain apologised on Sunday for boasting that his gold medal meant he did not have to do military service. South Korea defeated hosts Japan 1-0 on Saturday in the men's final in Toyota, near Nagoya, for their fourth Games title in a row. Afterwards, Lee Gi-hyuk smiled as he held up his gold medal to reporters and said: "I'm not going to the military." Able-bodied South Korean males are usually required to perf…
Asian Games: South Korea captain apologises over military exemption remark
South Korea’s Asian Games football captain Lee Gi-hyuk has apologised for his “thoughtless” remark about avoiding military service after winning a gold med Read More: https://punchng.com/asian-games-south-korea-captain-apologises-over-military-exemption-remark/
The U-23 men's national football team, who were exempted from military service after winning a gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, apologized after facing criticism for stating in their victory remarks that they "would not go to the army" or for releasing photos of themselves wearing military discharge caps. Team captain Lee Ki-hyeok [attended] the Asian Games held at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan on the 3rd
(Nagoya=Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Song-a = Before the joy of winning the men's football gold medal for the fourth consecutive time at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games could even subside, the military service exemption resulting from the gold medal...
[Sports Chosun Reporter Jeon Young-ji] Amidst South Korea’s soccer winning its fourth consecutive gold medal and baseball its fifth, issues and controversies regarding military service continue unabated. The Military Manpower Administration’s Arts and Sports Personnel System, which applies to Asian Games gold medalists, is not the commonly referred to "special military service exemption" or "military service exemption." This system allows indivi…
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