SOUTH KOREAN FOOTBALL CAPTAIN APOLOGISES OVER MILITARY SERVICE REMARK
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
South Korea’s Asian Games football captain, Lee Gi-hyuk, has apologised for remarks he made after the team’s gold medal victory, when he said the triumph meant he would not have to undergo mandatory military service.
South Korea defeated hosts Japan 1-0 in the men’s football final on Saturday in Toyota, near Nagoya, securing their fourth consecutive Asian Games title.
Following the victory, Lee smiled while displaying his gold medal to reporters and said, “I’m not going to the military.”
South Korean men are generally required to complete between 18 months and two years of military service before turning 28. However, the country grants exemptions to athletes who win gold medals at the Asian Games or medals of any colour at the Olympics. Those exempted athletes are instead required to complete only a few weeks of basic military training.
Military exemptions are a sensitive issue in South Korea, with athletes generally avoiding public discussion of the privilege.
Lee, 26, who plays as a defender in the domestic K League, apologised for what he described as thoughtless comments and behaviour following the match.
In a statement posted on Instagram, he said he had been carried away by the happiness, adrenaline and excitement of the victory.
“I am deeply sorry to the fans who are currently fulfilling their military duty, as well as to all those who sincerely supported us,” Lee said.
He added that, as an adult, he should have considered his words carefully before speaking and expressed regret over his remarks.
“I deeply regret having spoken so carelessly, and I will continue to reflect on my actions,” he said.
Lee also apologised to supporters who had backed the team throughout the tournament and to those currently serving in the military.
Asian Games football is contested by under-23 teams, although each squad is permitted to include up to three overage players.
Lee was also part of South Korea’s squad at the World Cup in North America, where the team was eliminated in the group stage.
Meanwhile, South Korean golfer Tom Kim also secured a military exemption after winning gold at the Asian Games on Saturday.
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