Captain apologises for gloating over military service exemption
South Korean football captain Lee Gi-hyuk has apologized for insensitive comments made after winning an Asian Games gold medal, which grants him an exemption from mandatory military service. The incident sparked backlash due to the mandatory nature of service for most South Korean men.
Why it matters
Highlights the intersection of professional sports, national service obligations, and public perception in South Korea.
South Korea captain Lee Gi-hyuk has apologised for gloating about avoiding mandatory military service after winning gold at the Asian Games.
His side beat hosts Japan 1-0 in the final and, afterwards, Lee held up his gold medal and triumphantly announced he was "not going to the military".
In a social media post reported by local media, the 26-year-old later said he was "deeply sorry to the fans who are currently fulfilling their military duty, as well as to all those who sincerely supported us".
South Korean males are, in most circumstances, required to undertake between 18 and 21 months of active military service before the age of 28.
However, the government rewards Asian Games champions and Olympic medal winners of any colour with a service exemption bar basic training, which lasts less than a month.
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