Asian Games: South Korea may seek change in controversial military exemption for athletes

The South China Morning Post ^ | September 3, 2018 | Reuters

[2ndDivisionVet]

South Korea may seek to revise its military exemption programme for athletes amid calls for stricter rules after the country’s soccer and baseball teams earned the reward with gold medals at the Asian Games over the weekend.

Military service is a highly contentious issue in South Korea, where all able-bodied men must complete about 21 months of service as part of efforts to maintain a deterrent against the North.

Exemptions are offered to athletes who win titles at the Asian Games or medals of any colour at the Olympics, however, and Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min along with his teammates earned that right when they struck gold on Saturday.

Nine baseball players who had not yet completed their service also received the exemption after winning the Asian Games title in Jakarta on Saturday, but they could be among the last athletes to be so rewarded....

[2ndDivisionVet]

They really do draft almost everyone. Many of the soldiers working beside me in the I Corps bunker were the sons of industrial tycoons, admirals and generals.

[OddLane]

BTTT.

[WASCWatch]

I think a deferment until after their athletic careers are over would be fair.