"I'm Not Going to the Military" Remark Prompts Yoo Seong-min to Call for Abolishing Special Military Service Exemptions in Sports and the Arts

[Financial News] Remarks related to military exemptions by the national soccer team that won gold at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have come under scrutiny. In political circles, calls are growing for an overhaul of the military service exemption system itself.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seong-min said on Facebook on the 4th, "The players' words and actions regarding the duty of national defense were utterly disappointing." However, he pointed out, "This is not an issue that can be dismissed as individual players' slipups and dealt with by merely criticizing them. Fundamentally, it is an issue of the principles governing military exemptions and of the system itself."
The U-23 national soccer team, led by head coach Lee Min-sung, defeated Japan 1-0 in the final at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 3rd, winning the gold medal.
Lee Gi-hyuk of Gangwon State, the team's captain, said in an interview, "If we hadn't won the gold medal, I would have returned to South Korea with nine days left until enlistment. It was a very important tournament for the players because it could provide a military service exemption, and for me, it was especially an immediate reality." He added, "I won't be going to the military."
Yang Min-hyeok of Westerlo also said, "I didn't think medals or trophies were important. Since a military exemption, or military service benefit, was the reward, I think I played the matches with only that in mind." Park Seung-soo of Newcastle also sparked controversy by posting a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap on social media after winning the gold medal.
Criticism poured in as some players appeared to attach significance to the military service benefit itself. Lee Gi-hyuk, Yang Min-hyeok and Park Seung-soo apologized.
Yoo said, "The criteria for military exemptions in sports, the arts and other fields have long been the subject of debate. For example, if we look only at the effect of enhancing national prestige, there are no young people like BTS. Yet BTS have to serve in the military while Asian Games gold medalists receive exemptions. Is such a system really fair?"
He continued, "The idea of promoting sports and the arts through military exemptions as an incentive is itself outdated. It means the state is acknowledging its own sacred duty of military service as something to be avoided. Once exemptions begin being granted, controversy over fairness will never end."
He added, "Rather than continually redrawing the line for special military service benefits over who qualifies and who does not, we must now eliminate the line itself. The right course is to abolish the special military service system for sports and the arts."

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo also posted a message on Facebook that day titled, "The national soccer team boasts about not serving in the military—Is the military a detestable facility? Are soldiers who lost an ankle for the country fools?"
Ahn said, "It is deeply disheartening that the mindset of players who compete for the national team wearing the Taegeuk emblem is at this level." He sharply criticized them, saying, "After scoring a single 'exemption shot' goal, they have completely forgotten the consideration shown by a country and its people who respect contributions to national prestige. They are insulting those who fulfill their duty to defend the country and devote themselves to it in order to protect even such people."
He stressed, "There are many athletes who win championships and bring home gold medals without receiving military exemptions, aren't there? A military exemption is out of the question for national team players who disparage the country and loathe the military. Military exemptions for the Asian Games must now be reconsidered."

People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won also wrote on Facebook that day, "Winning an Asian Games gold medal is certainly worth celebrating, but this time the controversy over special military service benefits is louder than the congratulations. This is not a matter of blaming the players. The system made them speak frankly."
She continued, "Since the state offered military service as a reward, it is only natural for athletes to compete with that in mind. The problem is not the players but the outdated system. Special military service benefits for sports and the arts now need to be reconsidered. The competitions and disciplines eligible for special treatment must be redefined to reflect the country's current standing."
She emphasized, "This is not about diminishing the athletes' sweat. Rather, it is about ensuring that their sweat is not remembered only as an 'exemption ticket.' We must responsibly begin discussions on a fundamental overhaul of the special military service system for sports and the arts so that a fair military service system acceptable to every young person in South Korea can be established."
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