South Korea Captain Apologises for Military Exemption Comments
· Sports · BBC Sport, Al Jazeera
South Korea captain Lee Gi-hyuk has apologised for gloating about avoiding mandatory military service after winning gold at the Asian Games. Following his team's 1-0 victory over Japan, the 26-year-old publicly stated he was not going to the military. South Korean males are typically required to complete 18 to 21 months of service, though Asian Games gold medalists are granted exemptions. Lee expressed deep regret in a social media post, acknowledging his comments were careless and insensitive to those fulfilling their duty.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding South Korea's mandatory military service laws and the public scrutiny faced by athletes who receive exemptions.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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