“I think Park has met all legal requirements for the exemption,” Kim Il-saeng, chief of South Korea‘s Military Manpower Administration (MMA), told the parliamentary committee on national defense.
Men between 18 and 35 in South Korea are required to complete two years or military service. Athletes who win Olympic medals, Asian Games gold or accomplish other notable sporting achievements are exempted
While celebrating the 2-0 win against Japan in the bronze match, Park held up a sign from one of Korean supporters The placard triggered further controversy following a surprise visit by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to the islands, known in Japan as Takeshima, before the game earlier this month. Park’s action got him banned form the medal ceremony and his name was not announced over the public address system.
Kim said the Sports Ministry was “in the process of recommending” Park for the exemption, according to South Korea‘s Yonhap news agency. He added: “I personally think he is a courageous and an admirable player.”
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