"Asian Games gold medals are not a ticket to resolve military service for professional athletes" — criticism extends to National Assembly audit... Choi Hwi-yeong (Minister) also says, "We have no choice but to move in the direction of reduction"

*This content was translated by AI.

Choi Hui-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed his intention to improve the system regarding the military service exemption for arts and sports personnel, stating, "We have no choice but to move in the direction of reduction."

Amid recent controversy over remarks related to military service exemptions by some athletes at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the arts and sports personnel system, introduced in 1973, also came under scrutiny during the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's national audit held on the 7th, according to NEWS1.

Jung Eun-hee, a member of the People Power Party, who took part in the questioning, pointed out the need for system improvement, stating, "At this Asian Games, 16 baseball players, 20 soccer players, and 8 basketball players became eligible for military service exemption."

While acknowledging that "it is true that the system has contributed to maintaining and developing the skills of outstanding artists and athletes so far," Choi (Minister) said, "Now, the values regarding fairness and the perspective on military service have changed. It needs to be comprehensively reviewed again."

In response, Jo (Rep.) pointed out, "'We will review it comprehensively' is a very clichéd answer. The national team is expected to compete for the nation's honor; it is not a ticket for professional athletes to resolve their military service issues, is it?"

He added, "There is anger among young people in their 20s and 30s over whether this is truly fair."

Upon hearing this, Choi (Minister) clearly stated his intention to reduce the system.

He emphasized, "'Comprehensive' means we will look at it more fairly and strictly. Naturally, we have no choice but to move in the direction of reduction."

He further stated, "We will also examine how to supplement side effects such as lowered morale in the arts and sports fields after the reduction," adding, "Since the Ministry of National Defense is also reviewing various options, including abolition, we will discuss this together."

Meanwhile, the current military service exemption system grants eligibility for enrollment as arts and sports personnel to athletes who place third or higher at the Olympics and gold medalists at the Asian Games.

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*This content was translated by AI.