[Nagoya AG] Military Service Benefits for Gold Medals... Only Korea, Taiwan, and Iran

Controversial Remarks by National Football Team Players

Posting Discharge Cap on Social Media Right After Victory

Most Other Countries Only Allow Military Service Deferral

Comments made by the South Korean national football team players, who achieved their fourth consecutive victory at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, have caused controversy. The under-23 players unleashed a series of outlandish statements regarding the mandatory military service exemption they are to receive.

One player openly told the media, "I didn't think about the medal or the trophy. Since there's the reward of military exemption, that was the only thing I focused on during the game." Immediately after the victory, another player, who has never even been near a military training center, boldly posted a photo of a military discharge cap on his social media account.

The South Korean national football team players are celebrating after winning the final match against Japan in the men's football event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan on the 3rd. Toyota=Yonhap News Agency

Korea operates the arts and athletic personnel military service exemption system, which allows individuals who have contributed to elevating the nation's prestige or to cultural development to serve in the arts or sports sector instead of active-duty military service. Among athletes, those who win a bronze medal or higher at the Olympics or a gold medal at the Asian Games qualify for this exemption.

Under this system, recipients complete a three-week basic military training and must fulfill 544 hours of service using their specialized skills over a 34-month period. They do not serve active duty but instead complete the required service hours through activities related to their athletic specialty.

Among countries with conscription systems worldwide, it is extremely rare to grant such exceptional benefits to athletes for medals won at the Asian Games or the Olympics. Only a handful of nations, including Korea, Taiwan, and Iran, provide such exemptions.

Countries such as Israel, Turkey, Austria, Finland, Switzerland, and Denmark do not automatically grant military service exemptions to athletes, even if they win medals. Singapore allows athletes to defer enlistment as much as possible and provides support so they can prepare for international competitions while still fulfilling their military obligations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.