"I'm not going to the military"... Lee Ki-hyuk, who sparked controversy immediately after [winning], finally apologizes directly: "I am sorry to those fulfilling their national defense obligations" [Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Ki-hyuk (26, Gangwon FC), the captain who led the South Korean men's football team to a fourth consecutive title at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, bowed his head and issued an official apology for his reckless remarks regarding "military service exemption" made immediately after winning the championship.

On the 4th, Lee Ki-hyuk stated through his personal social media service (SNS), "As the captain of Seon Su-dan (CEO), I should have spoken with a sense of responsibility, considering the weight of my words, but I failed to do so," adding, "I sincerely apologize for offending and hurting the feelings of those fulfilling their national defense obligations and our fans."

Previously, the Asian Games football national team led by head coach Lee Min-sung achieved a fourth consecutive championship by defeating Japan 1-0 in the final held at Toyota Stadium in Japan on the 3rd. However,

Lee Ki-hyuk's conduct during the post-match award ceremony sparked fierce controversy.

Lee Ki-hyuk, who had received a military enlistment notice just before the tournament and would have been required to report for active duty nine days after returning home if he failed to win a gold medal, held up the gold medal around his neck toward the cameras of the press corps, shouting "I'm not going to the military" while beaming with a wide smile.

He then described the atmosphere in the locker room, making remarks such as, "I played desperately, jokingly emphasizing to the players that 'if we don't win gold today, I enlist in nine days,'" and "Since I will receive a military service benefit, my desire to move to Europe has naturally arisen," which provoked outrage among fans and members of the armed forces. Criticism poured in, arguing that he prioritized his personal military service benefits over the sense of duty associated with the national team emblem.

As the controversy spread, Lee Ki-hyuk stated, "While preparing for this Asian Games, I have never once taken lightly the weight, responsibility, and sense of duty toward the national team emblem as a national team player," adding, "I apologize once again to fans who may have thought I took these matters lightly due to my reckless words and expressions."

He continued, "I am deeply reflecting on my remarks and actions that focused solely on military service benefits, driven by momentary happiness, excitement, and dopamine after the match ended. As an adult, I should have thought deeply before speaking, but I acted too lightly. I sincerely apologize to all fans who supported me wholeheartedly and to everyone who is doing their best to fulfill their national defense obligations."

Hello, this is Lee Ki-hyuk.

As the captain of Seon Su-dan (CEO), I should have spoken with responsibility for every word, considering the weight of my words, but I failed to do so. I want to sincerely apologize to our fans for this.

While preparing for this Asian Games, I have never once taken lightly the weight, responsibility, and sense of duty toward the national team emblem as a national team player. I want to express my sincere apology once again to fans who may have thought I took these important weights, responsibilities, and duties lightly due to my reckless words and expressions.

Qualifying for this year's World Cup and being selected for the Asian Games were incredibly precious opportunities for me, bringing joys that cannot be expressed in words. However, I feel that I offended and hurt the feelings of fans who are interested in me and those fulfilling their national defense obligations, and inflicted wounds that I should not have caused to fans who sincerely support the Asian Games.

My honest feeling is that playing as a national team player for The Korea Economic Daily (Hankyung)ki The Korea Economic Daily (Hankyung)ki was so precious, and these were moments I had earnestly wished for since I first started playing football, so my heart was full of urgency and desperation.

I am a player who absolutely does not prioritize the gold medal, but rather prioritizes showing my best effort as a national team player. I told the players to do our best, pour our strength into the match, and even if we fall, to give it our all on the field and then fall.

With that mindset, I approached each game, and by winning one match after another, we were able to reach the final stage. As a national team player, the final is an incredibly precious opportunity, and it was a match I absolutely did not want to miss.

I believe fans' hearts felt exactly the same as those of our players.

By approaching the match with such urgency and desperation, we were able to bring about the result of winning in the final, and I was very grateful for the sincere support from fans.

As a player who had always dreamed of receiving this kind of support, I felt that I was receiving so much and such heartfelt encouragement, and I was deeply grateful.

However, after the match ended, as captain and as a player, I made reckless remarks and took actions that I should not have done. I want to express my sincere apology once again for this.

Due to my remarks and actions that focused on receiving military service benefits, driven by momentary happiness, dopamine, and excitement, I feel deeply sorry and wish to apologize to fans who are fulfilling their national defense obligations and to fans who provided sincere support.

As an adult, I should have thought before speaking, but I spoke too lightly. I am reflecting on my actions and will continue to reflect on them.

I sincerely apologize to fans who provide heartfelt support and are doing their best to fulfill their national defense obligations.

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*This content was translated by AI.