“Sticks his tongue out at the camera after receiving gold” ... Park Seung-soo faces controversy over award-ceremony behavior following criticism over military discharge cap

[Financial News] Park Seung-soo (Newcastle), a gold medalist in men’s soccer at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, has sparked controversy after footage showed him sticking his tongue out at a camera during the medal ceremony. He had previously faced criticism over a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap, and now his behavior at the ceremony has also become an issue.

On the 9th, footage of the Asian Games men’s soccer medal ceremony held on the 3rd was circulating on online communities and social media (SNS). The video shows Park acting playfully toward a camera just after receiving his gold medal.
The other players received their gold medals at the ceremony in a composed manner.
Park was already looking toward the camera before receiving his medal. Immediately after putting the gold medal around his neck, he stuck his tongue out at the camera. Some netizens criticized the gesture as inappropriate for a national team player at an official ceremony at an international competition.
Yang Min-hyeok, standing beside him, appeared to chuckle at Park’s behavior.
Some netizens who watched the video took issue with his attitude as a national team player. They posted critical comments including, “He doesn’t deserve to be on the national team,” “Strip him of his national team status and conscript him into active service right away—that’ll teach him a lesson,” “He’s become a national hate figure,” “He seems likely to cause serious trouble in the military, too,” and “Abolish military-service exemptions starting with this competition.”
Park had previously come under criticism after posting a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap on social media following his victory in the Asian Games final, amid criticism that he may have been mocking military service.
The day after the controversy erupted, Park released an apology. “I would like to apologize to all the fans regarding the photo I posted on social media right after the final,” he said. “I sincerely apologize to those who may have felt uncomfortable because of my actions.”
He explained that the cap he wore was one he had received from a fan right after the match. Park said, “Right after the match ended, I accepted and put on a cap a fan gave me at the venue. I was so happy and overwhelmed that I had won the gold medal as the result of all the time and effort I had put in, and in that moment I took a photo and posted it on social media without giving much thought to what the cap meant.”
He also said he had not intended to disparage soldiers currently serving in the military. “I never intended to mock those carrying out their military service or make light of their hard work,” he said. “I have also never once taken lightly the meaning of the Taegeuk emblem.”
He also emphasized the benefits that come with winning a gold medal and the responsibilities of representing the country. Park said, “I know well that the opportunities and benefits I have received through this gold medal are by no means something to be taken for granted. I will show greater responsibility so that I can live up to the support and expectations of the public.”
Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, also apologized that day for the players’ inappropriate words and actions. “On behalf of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, I offer my sincere apologies to members of the public and service members who were hurt by the careless remarks of some players,” the chairman said.
The Korea Football Association also issued an apology and outlined steps to prevent a recurrence in an official statement. “We offer our deepest apologies for disappointing and hurting many members of the public and active-duty soldiers through the careless words, actions and interviews of some players,” the association said. “Taking this incident as an opportunity, we will further strengthen education on the conduct and ethics expected of national team players and work to manage the squad’s behavior in line with public sentiment and social expectations.”

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter