Captain apologises for gloating over military service exemption

South Korea's captain Lee Gi-hyuk has issued an apology for his boastful remarks about evading mandatory military service following his gold medal win at the Asian Games. After South Korea defeated Japan 1-0 in the final, Lee displayed his gold medal and boastfully declared he would not join the military. In a subsequent social media post, the 26-year-old expressed deep remorse to the fans currently serving their military duty, as well as to those who had supported his team.

South Korean men are typically required to complete between 18 and 21 months of active military service before turning 28. However, the government grants exemptions from service to Asian Games champions and Olympic medalists, barring basic training which lasts less than a month. Golfer Tom Kim also managed to avoid military service by winning gold at the Asian Games.

Other athletes who have taken advantage of this exemption include former Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min, who served only three weeks in 2020 after winning the Asian Games two years prior. Lee, one of the older players in his Under-23 squad and a member of South Korea's K League club Gangwon FC, acknowledged he should have thought more carefully before making his comments.

He emphasized that as an adult, he should have reflected more on his actions. In his apology, Lee sincerely apologized to all the fans who have supported his team wholeheartedly and who are making every effort to fulfill their military duty.