"Inappropriate remarks regarding military service exemptions are regrettable and lamentable," Military Manpower Administration head also delivers sharp criticism

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Hong So-young, the head of the Military Manpower Administration, stated that she "finds it very regrettable and lamentable as the head of the Military Manpower Administration regarding the inappropriate conduct of some athletes recently related to the Asian Games." She also said she "agrees" with the Ministry of National Defense's opinion to gradually reduce and abolish military service exemptions.

On the 12th, Hong So-yeong (Commissioner) attended the National Assembly Defense Committee's state audit of the Military Manpower Administration held at the main office of the Military Manpower Administration in the Government Daejeon Complex. In response to a question from Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Byeong-ju (Rep.), asking "How did you view the behavior of some athletes after the Asian Games?", she stated, "I take seriously the sense of loss that young people fulfilling their military service must have felt and the voices of citizens demanding institutional improvement," adding this.

On this day, Kim Byeong-ju (Rep.) pointed out the inappropriate remarks made by some athletes immediately following the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Kim (Rep.) noted, "One athlete (Yang Min-hyuk) said, 'Medals and trophies were not important; because there was a reward of military exemption, I played looking only at that.' Posting photos (Park Seung-soo) celebrating while wearing a discharge cap, or saying 'I will not go to the army' (Lee Gi-hyuk), provoked public outrage. This also created public opinion calling for a re-examination of military service exemptions."

She continued, "On the other hand, there were famous singers and athletes who fulfilled their national defense obligations. The most representative example is BTS. They voluntarily stated they would fulfill their military service obligations. At that time, even though 61% of (the public) supported exempting BTS from military service to enhance national prestige, they went. After returning from the army, BTS is further enhancing national prestige and has become a team respected worldwide. How do you view this?"

In response, Hong So-young, the head of the Military Manpower Administration, answered, "I evaluate that all BTS members fulfilling their military service contributed significantly to raising the fairness of military service and public trust."

Furthermore, in response to Kim (Rep.)'s question, "The Ministry of National Defense announced that it will gradually reduce and abolish military service exemptions. What is the Military Manpower Administration's opinion?", Hong (Commissioner) said, "It is the same as the Ministry of National Defense's opinion."

However, she was initially reserved about specific details such as the timing for abolishing military service exemptions. While stating that "the Basic Plan for Defense Reform is being formulated. It is in the final review stage, so it is not yet time for me to speak on this," Hong So-yeong (Commissioner) added that it is "scheduled to be announced soon." In response to the question, "I think it is right to proceed with a plan of setting a target year and gradually reducing exemptions," she answered, "I understand that preparations are being made in that direction."

She continued, "We are conducting a policy research commission regarding personnel in sports and arts. We were unable to gather opinions from relevant ministries ahead of the Asian Games. There was also the issue of lowering athletes' morale before the games. Once the results of the research commission are out, we plan to examine whether there is anything to be done based on them. We must also sufficiently hear the opinions of stakeholders."

She added, "We cannot suddenly abolish the system. Various support systems must also be prepared in maintaining the skills and status of personnel in sports and arts as athletes. I believe improvement will come if we prepare those aspects together. The law can be handled by amending the enforcement decree."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original