Lee Gi-hyuk sorry after ‘not going to the military’ remark sparks outrage in South Korea

South Korea captain Lee Gi-hyuk has apologised after celebrating his military-service reprieve following Asian Games gold, reigniting a wider debate over why elite athletes receive the benefit.

South Korea’s Asian Games triumph has been overshadowed by controversy after captain Lee Gi-hyuk apologised for celebrating the military-service benefit attached to his team’s gold medal.

South Korea defeated hosts Japan 1-0 in the men’s final to claim a fourth consecutive Asian Games football gold, but celebrations quickly became uncomfortable after Lee held up his medal and declared that he was not going to the military.

The 26-year-old Gangwon FC defender later admitted that his comments were careless and apologised to supporters who are currently completing their military obligations.

Why does winning gold mean avoiding military service?

Military service is a particularly sensitive issue in South Korea because service is compulsory for most able-bodied men.

Depending on the branch, the normal commitment is roughly 18 to 21 months, making it potentially disruptive to professional athletes during the relatively short peak of their careers.

However, South Korean law provides a special route for certain high-achieving athletes. Asian Games gold medallists and Olympic medallists can qualify for the country’s arts and sports personnel system instead of serving as regular active-duty soldiers.

It is not technically a complete escape from all military obligations. Beneficiaries undergo basic military training and must subsequently fulfil alternative-service requirements, including community service.

Recent reporting puts the training at around three weeks and the community-service obligation at 544 hours over 34 months.

Why is the issue so controversial?

The privilege can be enormous for a footballer. A player approaching the age limit for compulsory service could otherwise lose more than a year of his professional career.

That is why the Asian Games carry an unusual significance for South Korean football. The competition is primarily an under-23 tournament, although each squad can include three over-age players.

For some players, the gold medal can therefore have consequences far beyond sporting glory.

Lee was not the only player to attract criticism. Other members of the squad also made comments or posted images highlighting the exemption, prompting renewed calls for reform.

The backlash has now moved beyond football. Politicians have questioned whether a system created decades ago remains appropriate, particularly as South Korea faces a shrinking military-age population.

The country’s Defence Ministry has also indicated that it intends to reduce and ultimately abolish the wider supplementary-service system.

For Lee, however, the immediate issue is personal. His apology has attempted to draw a line under the controversy, but his comments have reopened a much larger national debate: should sporting success still be enough to keep an athlete out of regular military service?