"Is the military a facility of hatred? A soldier lost his ankle to a North Korean mine, yet..." Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo furious over remarks by Asian Games soccer national team players

*This content was translated by AI.

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo (64) of the People Power Party issued a strong criticism over the reckless remarks made by some players from the men's U-23 soccer national team, who won gold medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. An (Rep.) condemned the players' attitude, which he said trivialized the duty of military service, and called for a comprehensive review of the military service exemption system in the sports sector, which has been maintained for over 50 years.

On the 3rd, An (Rep.) began his statement on his social media with the impassioned sentence, "A national soccer team that boasts about not going to the military— is the military a facility of hatred? Are soldiers who lost their ankles for the country fools?"

The controversy stemmed from the reckless remarks and actions of players immediately after the 1-0 victory over Japan in the Asian Games men's soccer final held on the 3rd. Lee Gi-hyuk (26, Gangwon FC), captain of the soccer national team, sparked controversy during a post-match broadcast interview by stating, "If we hadn't won the gold medal, I would have had to return to Korea with only nine days left before my military enlistment," while holding up the gold medal toward reporters and shouting, "I am not going to the military."

Park Seung-su (19, Newcastle United), the youngest member of the soccer national team, also drew public outrage by posting a photo on his social media wearing what appeared to be a pre-prepared discharge cap. Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha), captain of the baseball national team, further fueled the controversy with remarks in an interview upon returning home, stating that he "honestly doesn't care" about the critical public opinion regarding their performance and that "the process is not needed at all; only the gold medal matters unconditionally." Despite Lee Gi-hyuk and Park Seung-su of the soccer national team eventually posting apology statements on social media in response to the fierce criticism, the cold gaze of public opinion has not subsided.

In response, An (Rep.) pointed out item by item the remarks and actions of some players that surfaced immediately after their victory. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo stated, "The remarks made by some soccer national team players after the match were a spectacle," adding, "One player proudly revealed that he practiced while playing 'The Private's Letter' on the radio, saying, 'Neither the gold medal nor the trophy matters; I only looked at military exemption,' and another player took a commemorative photo in the locker room wearing a discharge cap." He also strongly criticized captain Lee Gi-hyuk, stating, "Even the player who is the captain boasted and mocked by saying 'I am not going to the military' in an official interview."

He then mentioned young people who faithfully fulfill their military service obligations and cases of soldiers recently injured in security fields, pointing out the distorted perception of national team players. An (Rep.) stated, "Is the military a place where people cannot go? Are all the countless young men who enlist every year fools?" and emphasized, "A few days ago, a soldier lost his ankle due to a North Korean mine on the Western Front. This is what should be said when talking about sacrificing for the country."

He further declared, "With just one 'exemption shot,' they have completely forgotten the respect of the nation and the consideration of the people who honor national prestige, and they are disgracing those who fulfill their military service obligations and dedicate themselves to the country."

An (Rep.) raised his voice calling for revisions to the sports sector military service exemption system, which was introduced in 1973 and has had its amendments delayed for a long period, citing this incident as an opportunity. He stated, "Military exemption for the Asian Games should now be reconsidered," adding, "There are many players who win championships and gold medals without military exemption. It is utterly unacceptable to grant military exemption benefits to national team members who disgrace the country and hate the military."

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*This content was translated by AI.