A former South Korean lawmaker has called for the complete abolition of the military exemption system granted to elite athletes, arguing that mandatory service should not be used as an incentive for accomplishments in sports or the arts. Yoo Seong-min’s comments came after controversy surrounding statements made by members of South Korea’s men’s football team, which recently secured its fourth consecutive Asian Games title.

South Korea defeated Japan 1-0 on Saturday in the men’s football final held in Toyota, near Nagoya. Following the match, team captain Lee Gi-hyuk drew attention by holding up his gold medal and stating, “I’m not going to the military.” This remark sparked public backlash given South Korea’s mandatory military service policy, which requires able-bodied men to serve between 18 months and two years before turning 28.

Under current regulations, athletes who win gold medals at the Asian Games or any Olympic medal are granted an exemption from full military service, reducing their obligation to just several weeks of basic training. This system has long been a sensitive issue in South Korea, and athletes typically refrain from discussing it publicly. Lee, a 26-year-old defender who competes in the domestic K League, issued an apology Sunday for his “thoughtless remarks” and conduct after the match.

In a message posted on social media, Lee acknowledged that he was “caught up in the happiness, adrenaline and excitement of the moment” and expressed regret for his comments. He extended his apology to fans currently fulfilling their military duties and pledged to reflect on his actions moving forward.

Alongside the football team, golfer Tom Kim also secured a military exemption after winning gold at the same Games. The Asian Games football competition primarily features under-23 players, with allowance for three overage participants.

Yoo Seong-min criticized the military exemption policy on Sunday, asserting that the recent behavior of medal-winning athletes revealed broader public resentment toward the system. He emphasized that the debate should focus on the policy itself rather than individual athletes. Yoo argued that the use of military exemptions as incentives to elevate national prestige is dated and unfair, particularly when cultural figures like the K-pop group BTS, who have made significant global contributions, remain subject to full military service.

“The idea of promoting sports and the arts through military exemption as an incentive is itself outdated,” Yoo said. He added that the practice implicitly endorses military service as something to be avoided and called for the elimination of all such exemptions rather than continuous adjustments to qualifying criteria.

The military exemption system remains a contentious issue in South Korea, reflecting ongoing tensions between national duty, public perception, and the country’s efforts to foster international success in sports and culture.