"Abolish military service exemption over one player's remark? The political establishment is pathetic" Hong Joon-pyo makes a deliberate statement... "How many gold medalists are there, anyway?"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Amid controversy over remarks regarding military service exemptions for players on the Nam Ja-chuk-gu (CEO) team at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo strongly criticized voices from the political establishment calling for the abolition of the system.

On the 8th, former Mayor Hong posted on his Facebook page, "Looking at a political establishment that gets riled up by the words of an immature young player gives you a glimpse of the level of South Korean politics," adding, "When was it that military service exemption was included in the rewards for Asian Games gold medals? I don't understand why there is such an uproar now."

He continued, "It is truly pathetic that the political establishment discusses the very existence of a system established to motivate amateur sports over one young player's remark," pointing out, "It is also baffling when they talk about the era of decreasing military manpower resources."

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 the gold medal sparked controversy. 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 rash.

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

The controversy spread even to the political establishment. Voices emerged calling for the reduction or abolition of the current sports personnel system.

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Eun-hee raised the need for system improvement at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee national audit on the 7th, stating, "In this Asian Games, 16 baseball players, 20 football players, and 8 basketball players became eligible for military service exemptions."

Jo (Rep.) pointed out, "'We will review it comprehensively' is a very clichéd response," asking, "Isn't the national team supposed to play with national honor at stake, not a ticket for professional players to resolve their military service issues?"

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

However, former Mayor Hong directly refuted such claims.

He argued, "How many gold medalists are there that you turn all athletes who enhance national prestige into targets of criticism?" adding, "There is no other true populist."

Addressing the Ministry of National Defense, he wrote, "The Ministry of National Defense should seriously deal with the mine incident on the ceasefire line."

Regarding the national audit, he raised his voice, saying, "While shaking the system of separation of powers and leading the country toward an era of dictatorship, is this all that can be done in a national audit?" strongly criticizing the political establishment's movements surrounding the discussion of abolishing military service exemptions.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original