South Korea May Change Military Rules After Footballers Celebration

(South Korean Athletes Team. Photo by Punch News)

South Korea's government plans to look again at the rule that lets some athletes skip military service, after some players on the national football team caused anger while celebrating their Asian Games win.

According to reports online on Wednesday, the matter came up again after South Korea beat hosts Japan in the final.

Three players were criticised for celebrating the exemption they earned by winning gold.

Captain Lee Gi-hyuk got the most criticism.

He held up his gold medal and said he was not going to the military.

He has since said sorry.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young called Lee's words very immature.

He said the rule, which has been in place for more than 50 years, should be reviewed.

Speaking at a National Assembly committee hearing, he said it has helped top artists and athletes keep improving in their fields.

But he added that people's views on fairness and military service have changed, so the whole system should be checked again.

Men in South Korea are normally required to serve between 18 and 21 months in the military before they turn 28.

Asian Games gold winners and Olympic medal winners can skip active service.

They still have to do basic training that lasts less than a month.

Lawmaker Cho Kye-won of the Democratic Party said the issue has made young people feel the system is unfair.

He explained that Olympic athletes who finish third or better and Asian Games gold winners get the benefit, but winners of world championships in other events may not.

He also said most of the exemptions come from the Asian Games, with 36 of the 44 people who qualified this time coming from football and baseball.

He added that winning a world title in some sports can be harder than winning gold at the Asian Games.

The government has not announced any changes yet, but the minister's words show the rules may change as officials consider the fairness concerns and the new public mood.