South Korea to seek change in controversial military exemption for athletes

Athletes who won gold medals at the Asian Games or medals at the Olympics might not be exempted from conscription in future.

Son Heung-min exempt from military service thanks to the gold medal at Asian Games. Source: Getty Image

Military service is a highly contentious issue in South Korea, where all able-bodied men must complete about 21 months of service as part of efforts to maintain a deterrent against the North.

Exemptions are offered to athletes who win titles at the Asian Games or medals of any colour at the Olympics, however, and Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min along with his teammates earned that right when they struck gold on Saturday.

Nine baseball players who had not yet completed their service also received the exemption after winning the Asian Games title in Jakarta on Saturday, but they could be among the last athletes to be so rewarded.