Lee Gi-hyuk, captain of South Korea’s Asian Games football squad, has apologised for his remarks about avoiding mandatory military service after winning gold, according to BBC Sport. His reported apology addressed supporters fulfilling their military duties and expressed regret about the way he had spoken.
The BBC reports that South Korea beat hosts Japan 1-0 in the final. After the victory, Lee held up his gold medal and announced that he would not be going into the military, in a celebration the broadcaster described as gloating about the exemption.
Lee plays his club football for Gangwon FC in South Korea’s K League. He was one of the overage players in the country’s Under-23 squad, with his captaincy here relating to that Asian Games team.
Apology to supporters fulfilling military duty
According to BBC Sport, local media reported Lee’s apology from a social media post. In the account relayed by the broadcaster, he offered a sincere apology to fans who had supported the team wholeheartedly and were doing their utmost to fulfil their military duty.
Lee also expressed deep regret for having spoken carelessly. He said he would continue to reflect on his actions, acknowledging his own choice of words in the apology reported by the BBC.
How the sporting exemption works
BBC Sport explains that South Korean males are, in most circumstances, required to undertake between 18 and 21 months of active military service before the age of 28. Its account describes a sporting exemption from that ordinary requirement.
The government grants the exemption to Asian Games champions and Olympic medal winners of any colour, according to the report. The qualifying achievement therefore differs between the competitions: gold at the Asian Games, or a medal of any colour at the Olympics.
Recipients must still complete basic training. That remaining obligation qualifies Lee’s reported announcement about avoiding the military: the exemption covers ordinary service while retaining a requirement for training.
Son Heung-min’s earlier example
The BBC cites former Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min as a previous recipient of the exemption. Son served for three weeks in 2020, having won Asian Games gold with South Korea two years earlier.