Athletes and artists can get exemptions if they are seen to have promoted national prestige.
All able-bodied South Korean men aged between 18 and 28 must serve in the military for around 1.5 to 2 years.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min secured the exemption after his Korean team won gold at the last Games in Jakarta in 2018. But not everyone has managed it. The military service law was amended several years ago to allow selected K-pop megastars to defer their service to aged 30, but not to avoid it entirely, with a large section of the population against giving stars like BTS special treatment.
“Not just for swimmers but as an athlete, I think exemption from military service removes a hindrance to an athlete’s life, allowing him to have a longer career,” said Baek In-chul, who won his first Asian Games gold in the 50m butterfly in a Games record time. The men’s basketball team, one of the top-ranked sides in the competition, stand a chance of repeating their gold from the 2014 Incheon Games, after their bronze in Jakarta in 2018.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
S. Korean opposition leader avoids jail after court rejects warrantThe decision gives the former presidential contender a lifeline in his fight for political survival.
Read more »
S. Korean opposition leader avoids jail after court rejects warrantSEOUL: A South Korean court early on Wednesday rejected an arrest warrant for the leader of the main opposition party on charges of bribery and breach...
Read more »
US to indefinitely extend China waiver for South Korean chipmakers, says reportSEOUL, Sept 27 — The US is expected to indefinitely extend a waiver granted to South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix on needing licenses to bring US chip...
Read more »
Displaced Afghan women athletes defy Taliban at Asian GamesA total of 17 athletes, including men, are representing the country in volleyball, cycling, and athletics.
Read more »
Asiana Airlines mishandled mid-air door-opening, S. Korean ministry rulesSEOUL (The Korea Herals/Asia News Network): Asiana Airlines’ initial response to a recent mid-air door-opening incident was “inappropriate” and will be fined for it, the South Korean government’s investigation showed, Park Sang-hyuk of the main opposition Korea Democratic Party said on Wednesday (Sept 27).
Read more »
North Korean shooters in tears after first gold of GamesThe trio triumphed in the 10m running target women’s team event today.
Read more »