SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The reward of a military service exemption for gold medal-winning South Korean athletes could be abolished or reduced in future after public backlash to some controversial comments from winners at the Asian Games.
Three players from the men's soccer team came under fire for comments following South Korea's 1-0 win over Japan in the Asian Games final last weekend in Japan.
All three apologized but a broader debate had already reignited over whether athletes should receive special treatment for sporting achievements, particularly as ordinary citizens — and even members of BTS, the globally famous K-pop group — had to complete their mandatory service.
Criticism intensified on Tuesday and, on Wednesday, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young told the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee that the alternative military service exemption system for artists and athletes “will inevitably have to be scaled back.”
“It is true that the system has contributed to helping outstanding artists and athletes maintain and develop their abilities,” Cho said. “However, the values attached to fairness and public perceptions of military service have changed. I agree that the system should be comprehensively reviewed once again.”
Most South Korean men must start 18 to 21 months of military service by the age of 28. Since 1973, however, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service which consists of three weeks of basic training.
Three of the soccer players, including Yang Min-hyuk, who assisted the winning goal against Japan, made comments that were viewed as insensitive.
“The medal and winning the championship weren’t important. I played the game with only one thing in mind — the reward of a military-service exemption,” Yang, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2025 and is currently on loan at Belgian club Westerlo, said.
Newcastle United midfielder Park Seung-soo posted a photo on social media showing him wearing a cap associated with soldiers who have completed their service. In a post-match interview, captain Lee Gi-hyuk held up his gold medal and said, “I’m not going to the military.”
A number of politicians, including Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party, said it was time to change.
“Some players’ remarks after the match were outrageous,” Ahn posted on social media. “Even the captain bragged about not having to serve in the military. Are all the young people who enlist every year fools?”
Former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min said the flippant comments had provoked resentment and asked: “Is it really fair that BTS has to serve in the military while Asian Games gold medalists are exempt?”
In a Korea Herald editorial Tuesday, the newspaper declared that the practice was outdated.
“South Korea now stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s leading nations,” the newspaper said. “The days when finishing first in Asia could meaningfully enhance the country’s national prestige are long gone. It is time to reconsider.”
That was the message from Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna during a press briefing in Seoul.
“Ultimately, we have plans to cut back or scrap the supplementary service, including one designed for artists and athletes,” Chung said.
The soccer players were among many winners from the Asian Games who qualified for the military exemption.
Golfer Tom Kim won the men’s singles on Saturday after flying across the Pacific when the Presidents Cup competition ended so he could compete in Japan. Asked about the military exemption, he took the gold-medal approach.
“I’m more proud that I’m able to bring a medal for my country,” he said.
Sixteen South Korea baseball players are also exempt after defeating Japan 3-1 in the Asian Games final. So are three South Koreans who won gold in esports, an event at the Asian Games.
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South Korea's team members celebrate as they defeated Japan in the men’s final in football at the Asian Games in Toyota, central Japan, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (Atsuhiro Maeda/Kyodo News via AP)
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mason Miller will probably want to come up with something a little better than cigars for his San Diego Padres teammates when he returns to the club as a first-time father.
Not only did the Padres cover splendidly for their top reliever in their gritty playoff victory Tuesday night, they kept San Diego's season going likely long enough for Miller to pitch again.
The Padres announced that their All-Star closer was on the paternity list and would miss Game 3 of the NL Division Series only about 45 minutes before they faced the Milwaukee Brewers with their season on the line. San Diego did not announce that setup man Adrian Morejon also was unavailable because of discomfort in his shoulder.
The Padres had to face the MLB-best Brewers without the top two relievers in their vaunted bullpen — but that didn't deter a team that fought through a midseason malaise and streaked into the postseason with a sensational September.
“It was a chance for the other guys to pick those two up,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “We relied on them and got a lot of wins because they pitched so well this season. All the other guys stepped up and did their job today.”
After starter Nick Pivetta faltered in the fifth, three relievers fought to get eight outs against the Brewers' relentless lineup before Game 2 starter Michael King took care of the final two innings in a 4-3 victory for his first save since 2023.
After the Padres survived this desperate day, pitching coach Ruben Niebla said they expect Miller to return to the team for Game 4 on Wednesday night. King said Morejon also could be available.
San Diego's bullpen was taxed in Game 3 but held on thanks to King, who stepped up on one day of rest and delivered. He yielded a base hit in the eighth and then two walks in the ninth before Christian Yelich smacked a 107 mph line drive up the middle. But veteran shortstop Xander Bogaerts stopped it on a short hop and turned a game-ending double play, finishing King's emergency outing at 40 pitches.
“I know that I have bullets in my arm that I don’t want to save,” King said. “I felt like it needed to be the right time. I think that it all aligned with Mason going on paternity. Even if he was available, I was still going to be up and ready to go in whatever situation that presented itself. If you’re in an elimination game, you want everybody to be all in on it, and I feel like not just me included, we have a bunch of dogs down there that are all in.”
King pitched seven innings a week ago against the Chicago Cubs and five more on Sunday against the Brewers, throwing 169 total pitches. But he was ready for more immediately after leaving the mound in Milwaukee.
“He said it as soon as he came out of the game the other day: ‘I’m going to be ready for Game 3 and 4,'” Padres slugger Manny Machado said. “I kind of told him, ‘Why? Get ready for Game 5.’ But he wanted the ball, man. He definitely showed up today for us and closed it out. It wasn’t easy. They’re a hard ballclub over there. They didn’t make it easy for us.”
Miller was one of the best closers in the majors this season. With a fastball that regularly touches 104 mph, he converted 38 of his 41 save opportunities and went 5-2 with a 0.90 WHIP and 129 strikeouts over 70 innings.
But the right-hander also blew a save in the ninth inning of the Padres' 4-3 loss in Milwaukee on Sunday, putting San Diego in an 0-2 hole in the best-of-five series. While attempting to finish a two-inning save, Miller issued three walks before Jackson Chourio delivered a two-out, two-strike, two-run single to win it on Miller's 40th pitch.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
San Diego Padres pitcher Mason Miller reacts after defeating the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card baseball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Padres' Mason Miller throws during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a National League Divisional baseball playoff series against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
San Diego Padres pitcher Mason Miller, right, walks with pitcher Adrian Morejon during training a day before Game 3 of a National League Division Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
