As public sentiment regarding the military service exception system worsens due to controversy surrounding the Asian Games soccer team’s celebrations, Rep. Jin Jong-o of the People Power Party has stated that appropriate compensation plans should be established for female medalists.
On October 7, Rep. Jin expressed on his social media, "Is the value of a gold medal for male athletes different from that of female athletes? If male athletes receive benefits related to military service, we must also consider compensation plans that reflect the achievements of female athletes who represent the country and are exempt from military duties."
Regarding some athletes who sparked controversy, he said, "If you are a national representative, you should understand the weight of the Taegeuk mark, and if you have made a mistake, you should apologize properly." He added, "I hope this controversy leads to a broader discussion on whether to maintain or change the military service exception system, which should be a matter of public debate."
The backdrop for Rep. Jin's comments stems from recent actions by some members of the men's soccer team after winning the gold medal. Team captain Lee Gi-hyeok expressed his joy by saying, "I’m not going to the military," while Park Seung-soo posted a photo on social media wearing his military cap askew. This has intensified criticism in both online and political circles, calling for a significant reduction or abolition of the military service exception system.
Rep. Jin is a former national shooting team member and has won multiple medals at the Olympics and Asian Games. However, he did not receive military benefits as he completed his service before winning his first Olympic medal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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