# South Korea soccer players' military exemption debate

> South Korean soccer stars' military exemption claims spark Seoul's review of athlete exemptions.
- Title: South Korea soccer players' military exemption debate
- Summary: South Korean soccer stars' military exemption claims spark Seoul's review of athlete exemptions. South Korea reconsidering military service exemptions for…
- Keywords: south korea, military service, soccer, asian games, seoul, military exemption, lee gi-hyuk, news, politics, world, South, Korea
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/13/asia-pacific/society/south-korea-military-exemption-rethink
- Author: No Author
- Published: 2026-10-13T04:47:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: south korea, military service, soccer, asian games, seoul, military exemption, lee gi-hyuk, news, politics, world
## South Korean soccer players' military exemption claims
South Korean soccer players celebrated winning gold at Asian Games with exemption from mandatory military service.

> I'm not going to the military
## Public backlash over exemption claims
Public backlash prompted Seoul to reconsider decades-old military service exemption system for athletes.
## Lee Gi-hyuk's exemption statement
Asian Games football captain Lee Gi-hyuk publicly stated he would not serve in military after beating Japan.

> I'm not going to the military
## Seoul's exemption review
Seoul is reviewing military service exemption system designed to reward athletes for national prestige.
## Key takeaway

South Korea reconsidering military service exemptions for athletes after players publicly stated they would not serve.