If BTS has to serve, why are South Korean sportsmen, artists exempt: ex-lawmaker
Por The Korea Times — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement South Korea Asia East Asia If BTS has to serve, why are South Korean sportsmen, artists exempt: ex-lawmaker
South Korean football captain Lee Gi-hyuk has come under fire for celebrating the exemption during his team’s Asian Games gold medal win
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The Korea Times Published: 1:35pm, 5 Oct 2026 A former South Korean lawmaker has called for the abolition of the military exemption system granted to outstanding national athletes, arguing that military service should not be used as an incentive for achievements in sports or the arts.
Yoo Seong-min’s remarks came amid controversy over comments made by members of South Korea’s men’s football team, who recently won its fourth consecutive Asian Games title, regarding the military benefits they received.
South Korea defeated host Japan 1-0 on Saturday in the men’s final in Toyota, near Nagoya. Afterwards, the team’s captain, 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 perform between 18 months and two years of military service before the age of 28.
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