The ministry said possible changes to the arts and sports personnel program will be included in discussions for its broader defense reform plan.
"We plan to pursue measures, including the reduction or abolition of supplementary service programs such as the arts and sports personnel system, after comprehensively considering fairness among those subject to military duty, the declining pool of military manpower and public consensus," a ministry official said during a regular briefing.
The remarks came amid renewed controversy over military service benefits granted to athletes following the Asian Games.
Under South Korea's current system, athletes who win gold medals at the Asian Games or medals at the Olympics may be designated as arts and sports personnel rather than serving the standard period of active military duty.
South Korea's men's football team secured a fourth consecutive gold medal by beating Japan 1-0 at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, making 20 of the 23 players eligible for the benefit, excluding three who had already completed their military service.
Although often described as a "military exemption," recipients remain subject to military obligations under an alternative service arrangement.
The ministry also expressed strong displeasure over recent comments from parts of the sports community surrounding the issue.
"We find some of the remarks made within the sports community deeply regrettable," the official said.
"Military service is a sacred duty that all members of our society should respect and value together," the official added, calling for greater recognition of the sacrifices made by active-duty troops and reservists.
The ministry did not provide a specific timetable for changing the system, saying any overhaul would be considered as part of the government's broader defense reform framework.
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