On October 6, the Defense Ministry announced plans to incorporate the reduction or elimination of military exemptions for athlete conscripts into its basic defense reform plan. The ministry expressed regret over inappropriate comments made by some athletes.
During a regular briefing at the ministry, spokesperson Jung Bit-na stated, "We will comprehensively consider fairness and equity among conscripts, the decreasing pool of military resources, and public sentiment."
She added, "We are very disappointed with the remarks made by some in the sports community. Military service is a sacred duty that all members of our society should respect and honor."
Jung emphasized, "We sincerely hope that the dedication of our military personnel and reservists, who are fulfilling their duties at this moment, is respected by all citizens and that a culture valuing this commitment is established in society."
Meanwhile, the men's football team, which achieved a four-peat at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, has stirred controversy regarding military service. Captain Lee Gi-hyuk shouted, "I’m not going to the military!" immediately after their victory, while youngest member Park Seung-soo posted a photo wearing a military cap on social media. Yang Min-hyuk also remarked, "I played for the reward of military exemption rather than for medals or trophies," sparking further debate about the issues surrounding military exemptions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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