Story perspectives

Lawmaker Pushes Review After Players Brag About Dodging Service

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 11:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Captain Lee Gi-hyuk apologized for saying his Asian Games gold medal let him avoid military service.
Lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo urged reviewing the exemption after players bragged about dodging service.
Critics say the 1973 exemption—18 months service swapped for three weeks training and 544 hours work—is outdated.
South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in Toyota on Oct 3, clinching its fourth consecutive Asian Games men’s football title.

History

Historical Context

President Park Chung-hee’s 1973 amendment to the Military Service Act created an ‘art and sports personnel’ exemption, limiting athletes’ duty to three weeks of training and 544 hours of work. Today, Asian Games gold medalists such as football captain Lee Gi-hyuk serve only four weeks of basic training and up to 34 months of sport duty, a legacy that fuels current calls to broaden conscription for athletes.

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Story summary

Captain Lee Gi-hyuk apologized for saying his Asian Games gold medal let him avoid military service.
Lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo urged reviewing the exemption after players bragged about dodging service.
Critics say the 1973 exemption—18 months service swapped for three weeks training and 544 hours work—is outdated.
South Korea beat Japan 1-0 in Toyota on Oct 3, clinching its fourth consecutive Asian Games men’s football title.

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