[2026 Parliamentary Audit] Minister Choi Huieong: "Perceptions of Military Service and Fairness Have Changed... Will Devise Comprehensive Measures on Special Exemptions"

Choi Huieong, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said on October 7 that he would "devise comprehensive measures" to improve the special military service exemption system for artists and athletes, noting that "perceptions of military service and the value placed on fairness have changed considerably."

Choi made the remarks in response to a question from Cho Gye-won of the Democratic Party of Korea during the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Cho had raised concerns about fairness under the current special military service exemption system.

Choi Huieong, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is responding to a lawmaker's question during the National Assembly’s Audit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held at the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Under the current Enforcement Decree of the Military Service Act, athletes who place third or higher at the Olympics or win first place at the Asian Games can be assigned as arts and sports personnel and receive special military service benefits. Controversy arose over remarks by some athletes who won gold medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which ended on October 4, regarding their special military service benefits.

Cho also cited remarks by some Asian Games gold medalists concerning their military service benefits and raised concerns about fairness as perceived by younger generations. He also pointed out that 36 of the 43 people eligible for military service benefits at these Games were soccer or baseball players, raising concerns that the benefits are concentrated in certain sports. Noting that, unlike at the Olympics and Asian Games, world championship victories do not qualify athletes for military service benefits, Cho proposed considering a points-based system that would evaluate results accumulated across international competitions.

In response, Choi said, "It is true that the special military service exemption system for artists and athletes has helped talented athletes and artists maintain and develop their abilities." However, he added, "It seems that perceptions of military service and the value placed on fairness have changed considerably with the times." He continued, "We take these issues seriously. We will gather opinions from the sports and arts communities, consult with the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration, and devise comprehensive measures, including a mileage system."

Choi and Cho agreed that the Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Sangmu) should be expanded so that athletes can maintain and develop their abilities while serving in the military.

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