Yang Min-hyuk publicly apologizes over "military service benefit" remarks: "I had no intention of mocking... it was clearly my mistake" [Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games]

*This content was translated by AI.

Yang Min-hyuk (Vitesse), the top prospect who led South Korea to a fourth consecutive title in men's football at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a decisive cross in the final, officially apologized for his careless remarks regarding "military service benefits" made after the match.

On the 4th, Yang posted a lengthy apology statement on his personal social media (SNS), bowing his head and saying, "I sincerely apologize for disappointing and causing discomfort to many people with my remarks related to the Asian Games."

The South Korean national team, led by coach Lee Min-seong, achieved the first-ever four-peat in men's football at the Asian Games by defeating Japan 1-0 in the final held at Toyota Stadium in Japan on the 3rd. It was a historic moment as they won all three consecutive Asian Games finals against Japan.

Yang Min-hyuk was the starting point of the winning goal that day. In the 16th minute of the second half, he applied relentless pressure to the opposing defense from the right flank, won the ball, and delivered a precise cross into the penalty box. Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) calmly finished it off to score the decisive goal. It was a scene where the "special talent" who had driven the Gwangju FC surge in the 2024 season dispelled any doubts about his performance during the tournament, proving his worth in the final of the Korea-Japan match.

However, remarks regarding military service benefits that surfaced in mixed zone interviews and elsewhere immediately after winning the gold medal sparked outrage among fans and soldiers. There were successive criticisms that the expressions, which focused on individual military exemption rather than the sense of duty associated with the national team emblem, were careless.

As the controversy grew, Yang Min-hyuk immediately released a statement expressing self-reflection. While stating, "Participating in the Asian Games as a South Korean national team player held great significance for me, and as an athlete, I naturally did my best with the goal of winning the championship and the gold medal," he explained that "the meaning that military service benefits were one of the various motivations I could have had to produce better results was miscommunicated."

He further conveyed, "Regardless of my intention, many people felt discomfort due to my words, and it clearly became my mistake for appearing to take the meaning of the gold medal lightly as a national team player."

In addition, he emphasized, "The result of winning the gold medal was by no means given as a matter of course; it was a result that could be achieved thanks to the efforts and support of many people," adding, "I had absolutely no intention of taking lightly or mocking the hardships of those who are fulfilling their military service obligations and all those who will have to perform that duty in the future."

Finally, Yang Min-hyuk added, "I sincerely apologize to everyone who has been hurt and disappointed by my careless remarks. From now on, I will repay you not only with words but also with a better performance and a sense of responsibility on the field."

Hello. I am Yang Min-hyuk.

I sincerely apologize for disappointing and causing discomfort to many people with my remarks related to the Asian Games.

Participating in the Asian Games as a South Korean national team player held great significance for me, and as an athlete, I naturally did my best with the goal of winning the championship and the gold medal. In that process, the meaning that military service benefits were one of the various motivations I could have had to produce better results was miscommunicated.

Regardless of my intention, many people felt discomfort due to my words, and I believe it was clearly my mistake for appearing to take the meaning of the gold medal lightly as a national team player.

I believe that the result of winning the gold medal was by no means given as a matter of course; it was a result that could be achieved thanks to the efforts and support of many people.

Also, I had absolutely no intention of taking lightly or mocking the hardships of those who are fulfilling their military service obligations and all those who will have to perform that duty in the future.

I sincerely apologize to everyone who has been hurt and disappointed by my careless remarks. From now on, I will repay you not only with words but also with a better performance and a sense of responsibility on the field.

I am truly sorry.

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*This content was translated by AI.