{
  "id": 13879994,
  "title": "Military manpower agency chief voices regret over Asian Games footballers' gloating about military exemption",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/military-manpower-agency-chief-voices-regret-over-asian-games-13879994",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T05:22:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/defense/20261012/military-manpower-agency-chief-voices-regret-over-asian-games-footballers-gloating-about-military-exemption"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The head of South Korea's military manpower agency expressed remorse on Monday regarding the attitude of South Korean footballers who celebrated their exemption from mandatory military service following their victory at the recent Asian Games. MMA Commissioner Hong So-young made this statement during a parliamentary audit, following the public reaction and calls for reform after some gold medalists boasted about their exemptions in interviews and on social media. Hong deeply regretted this unfortunate situation, acknowledging the loss felt by young men serving their military duties and the public's demand for change. After securing the gold medal in men's football at the Asian Games on October 3, Yang Min-hyeok, a member of the national team, told the media that he played the match to obtain the exemption rather than to win a medal or trophy. Park Seung-soo, another team member, posted a photo of himself wearing a cap usually worn by individuals who have completed their military service. Their actions have prompted widespread criticism and calls for a review of the policy.",
  "summary": "The head of South Korea's military manpower agency voiced regret Monday over South Korean footballers glorying in their exemption from mandatory military service following their win at the recent Asian Games. Military Manpower Administration (MMA) Commissioner Hong So-young made the remarks during a parliamentary audit, after some of the gold medalists gloated about their exemptions in media…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Military manpower agency chief voices regret over Asian Games footballers' gloating about military exemption",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/military-manpower-agency-chief-voices-regret-over-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-10-12T04:32:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Asian Para Games: 5-time Paralympian Kimura vows best performance at home",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/asian-para-games-5-time-paralympian-kimura-vows-best-performance-at",
        "published": "2026-10-12T05:00:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Military manpower agency chief voices regret over Asian Games footballers' gloating about military exemption",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/military-manpower-agency-chief-voices-regret-over-asian-games-13876687",
        "published": "2026-10-12T05:07:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hankyoreh",
        "title": "Do the Asian Games have a future? Views from sports reporters in Korea, Japan and India",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/do-the-asian-games-have-a-future-views-from-sports-reporters-in-korea",
        "published": "2026-10-12T06:54:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "RTHK to broadcast Asian Para Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/rthk-to-broadcast-asian-para-games",
        "published": "2026-10-12T08:34:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}