"Some Korean players' interviews shake the 53rd-year-old military service exemption system"... Foreign media, even invoking BTS, pay attention: "Beyond reckless remarks, a bigger controversy is brewing"

*This content was translated by AI.

Overseas media are also paying attention to remarks regarding military service exemptions made after players on the South Korea Nam Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team secured gold medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Vietnamese media outlet VnExpress reported on the 5th (Korean time) about the controversy over remarks concerning military service benefits by South Korean national football team players, stating, "Remarks expressing joy from some players of the South Korea Nam Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team after winning gold medals at the Asian Games and receiving military service benefits have sparked fierce backlash."

It further explained, "This controversy is expanding into a debate over South Korea's military service exemption policy, which has been maintained for more than half a century."

South Korea achieved its fourth consecutive championship by defeating Japan 1-0 in the men's football final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at Toyota Stadium in Japan on the 3rd.

However, the joy of victory did not last long. Remarks regarding military service benefits made in interviews by some players immediately after winning gold medals became controversial. There were successive criticisms that expressions focusing on individual military service benefits rather than a sense of duty for wearing the national emblem or the achievements of the country and team were reckless.

As the controversy grew, players issued apologies one after another. The Korea Football Association (KFA) also bowed its head, stating that the reckless remarks and interviews by some players had caused disappointment and hurt to the public and active-duty soldiers.

VnExpress reported, "The players in question emphasized that they had no intention whatsoever of mocking those currently serving in the military or trivializing their sacrifices."

However, the impact did not end with the players' apologies.

Voices are emerging from political circles calling for a re-examination of the arts and sports personnel system itself, which has been implemented since 1973.

BTS was even invoked in connection with this controversy. People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won stated, "BTS, who have contributed more than anyone else to enhancing the nation's prestige on the world stage, also fulfilled their military service," emphasizing, "Now, the justification of 'enhancing national prestige' alone cannot persuade the public."

Under the current system, Olympic medalists finishing in third place or higher, or Asian Games gold medalists, can be enlisted as arts and sports personnel instead of general active-duty service.

Although commonly referred to as "military service exemption," legally, the military service obligation does not completely disappear. It is a system for fulfilling military service obligations in a separate form.

VnExpress introduced that key players on the South Korean national football team, Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid), and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), received military service benefits.

Regarding Na (Rep.)'s remarks, it reported, "It cited BTS as an example of having fulfilled military service obligations despite playing a major role in enhancing the national image."

The media also introduced the point that the military service exemption system was created more than 50 years ago. It noted that South Korea's international standing at the time the system was established was significantly different from today.

It further pointed out, "As K-pop and Korean culture play an increasingly large role in promoting the national image, there are also arguments that the criteria for evaluating national contribution need to be re-examined."

Opposing voices were also introduced. The argument is that the entire system applied to sports figures who have achieved results on the international stage should not be negated due to the immature behavior of some players.

Ultimately, although they set a historic record by achieving the first-ever four consecutive men's football titles in Asian Games history, the aftermath of remarks regarding military service exemptions that surfaced immediately after the victory does not seem to be subsiding easily.

VnExpress reported, "This controversy has gone beyond the reckless remarks of some players."

It further emphasized, "It is expanding into a larger social debate over whether it is appropriate to continue maintaining a system where Asian Games gold medals are directly linked to military service benefits as they are now."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.