South Korea signals military exemption cuts for athletes after Asian Games backlash

South Korea is considering reducing the military service exemption for gold medal-winning athletes following backlash from the Asian Games. Three players from the men’s soccer team received criticism for their comments after South Korea’s 1-0 win over Japan in the Asian Games final. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced that the current system of alternative military service exemption for artists and athletes will be "scaled back" and reviewed comprehensively.

Currently, most South Korean men must complete 18 to 21 months of military service by the age of 28, but athletes and artists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service consisting of three weeks of basic training since 1973.

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