Choi Woo-jin, caught in a controversy over "trivializing a landmine explosion," explains that he had no intent to demean; public opinion remains cold... Ahn Cheol-soo also states that "military service exemption is out of the question"

*This content was translated by AI.

Choi Woo-jin (22, Jeonbuk Hyundai), a member of the Nam Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team that won gold at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, apologized over suspicions that his celebration "mocked a landmine accident." As reckless remarks and actions regarding military service benefits have continued among national team members, the controversy is escalating, with even political figures joining in the criticism.

On the 4th, Choi Woo-jin posted an apology on his social media (SNS) regarding the celebration he performed after winning the gold medal. Previously, he had released a video showing him limping and pulling a gold medal out of his shoe. Some have raised suspicions that this was a trivialization of the landmine explosion accident involving military personnel that occurred last month in the Paju Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which resulted in injuries.

However, it is known that the gesture is a "meme" popular in the domestic and international track and field community, including marathon events. It is a type of performance where one limps as if something is caught in their shoe, then pulls out the medal won from inside to show off and commemorate. Even if it was done innocently following a trend, public criticism has poured in, stating that it was a very reckless and inappropriate action considering the recent situation in which military personnel were seriously injured in a landmine accident.

Choi Woo-jin also explained, "I only filmed it referencing a request from a fan who came to the scene; there was absolutely no intent to demean military personnel," while acknowledging that his actions could be misunderstood. He bowed his head, saying, "I never thought my performance could be interpreted as demeaning the incident" and "I regret not judging carefully and apologize again."

The football national team at this Asian Games has come under scrutiny for the inappropriate remarks and actions of several players after securing military service benefits with a gold medal. Captain Lee Ki-hyuk said, "I'm not going to the army," while smiling brightly in a broadcast interview immediately after winning. Yang Min-hyuk stated, "I played looking only at one thing: military service exemption, rather than the medal or trophy." Park Seung-su received criticism for posting a photo on social media wearing a "discharge cap" in the locker room. As the controversy grew, Lee Ki-hyuk and Park Seung-su, along with the Korea Football Association, issued official apology statements.

The scandal spread to the political sphere as well. People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo strongly criticized the players' attitudes on SNS on the 5th. An (Rep.) stated, "A player who is the captain boasts and mocks by saying 'I'm not going to the army,' and leaves a photo proving he wore a discharge cap. Is the military a facility of disgust?" He added, "Military service exemption is out of the question for national representatives who disgrace the nation and despise the military. The military service exemption system for the Asian Games should be reconsidered."

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*This content was translated by AI.