On October 3rd, in the men's football final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, the South Korean team defeated the Japanese team 1-0 and won the gold medal.
After the match, South Korea's men's football team captain Lee Kyu-ik happily showed the gold medal to the reporters: "I'm so lucky. I was about to serve in the military just nine days later."
This statement immediately caused a huge controversy in Korea, where people complain about the long-term burden of military service.
According to Korean media such as Yonhap and KBS, on the 4th, Lee Ki-yi bowed his head in apology to the Korean people, stating that he had not 'spoken and acted with caution'.
According to reports, Li Qiyi received a draft notification before the Asian Games. If he did not win a gold medal, he would have to enlist immediately after the competition.
On the 3rd, the South Korean team defeated Japan 1-0 and won the gold medal in the Asian Games men’s football competition. Thus, the South Korean team has won the gold medal in men’s football at the Asian Games for four consecutive editions, setting a precedent in the history of Asian Games men’s football.
After the award ceremony, Li Qiyi wore a gold medal and went to the mixed interview area to accept interviews from reporters. He said, "I truly felt the heavy responsibility that comes with being the captain. The team members trusted me greatly and followed my instructions, which gave me great strength on the field."
This is a crucial competition, as athletes enjoy exemptions from military service. However, for me, the issue of enlisting remains in front of me. Therefore, I often joke with teammates and highlight this point. He then added, “The teammates also put their best effort forth, even saying ‘If Qiyi failed to win gold today, we have to enlist nine days later.’”
After completely getting rid of concerns about serving in the military, Li Qiyi once again developed the determination to go abroad for development.
He told the reporter, “Since I have already won a gold medal and will receive treatment exempting me from military service, I naturally have a strong desire for Europe. When I return, I will definitely perform better, so that I can make sure to make progress.”
South Korea is one of the few developed countries in the world that implements a mandatory military service system. The South Korean Constitution stipulates that "all citizens are obligated to serve in the military." The South Korean Military Service Law clearly states that eligible men between the ages of 18 and 35 must fulfill their military obligations.
Strict military service system poses significant difficulties for young people who are in the process of finding employment or establishing families.
For many years, there has been a call for reform of the military service system in South Korea, advocating for improved welfare benefits and a shift towards voluntary military service.
According to regulations, Korean athletes who win Olympic medals or Asian Games gold medals can obtain the ‘military exemption’ status.
However, exemption does not completely eliminate military obligations. The top-ranked athletes only need to complete 3 to 4 weeks of basic military training, supplemented by sports-related public service, in order to replace nearly two years of service in the barracks. Additionally, only players who participate in group events can enjoy preferential treatment; players who do not appear in any events cannot be exempted from military service.
Despite this, South Korean men remain extremely sensitive about the "gold badge exemption" military service system.
On September 26th, the Korean Economic Daily published an article stating: "Even BTS (BTS) has to serve in the military... Many people question whether it is reasonable for athletes to enjoy military benefits just because of a gold medal."
South Korean K-pop group BTS in South Korean media
The article points out that as the South Korean team continues to win gold medals at the Asian Games, the long-standing debate regarding special exemptions from military service comes back to the surface. Some argue that this is a reasonable reward for achievements in international competitions; others believe that allowing athletes to serve instead of active-duty soldiers just because they have won a competition is an excessive privilege.
Korea's Kyungnam University's Department of Social Sports professor, Chang Seung-yun, said: "There is ongoing controversy regarding the fairness of military exemption for popular cultural artists and sports professionals. Careful designed policies are needed to achieve institutional balance." He added: "We must re-examine the fundamental goals and legitimacy of the military exemption system, and develop new operating plans to restore public trust."
Therefore, Li Qiyi's words can be said to have stirred up a huge reaction.
On social media, Korean netizens have continuously criticized Lee Ke-yi's inappropriate remarks and questioned the rationality of the military service exemption system.
Some netizens said: "The system established 50 years ago has been a source of national controversy since 2018, yet the president and the political elite have made no mention of it. Of course, while BTS or K-pop may not be comparable to gold medals in the Olympics, does a gold medal really enhance national prestige?"
“Even if one wins a gold medal at the Asian Games, no one in the world will know about it,” said another netizen in agreement. “Here, only the person who wins the medal is happy; our citizens don’t even show much interest. On the contrary, I think it’s K-pop that enhances a country’s prestige.”
However, some people have different opinions. “I know many people who strive in the field of sports. Gold medals don’t fall from the sky. They invest their entire youth in order to obtain them and get exemptions. Those people suffer from pain all over their bodies.”
Despite this, the system results in enlisting as a form of punishment.
As public opinion continued to intensify, Li Qiyi offered an apology, and the Korean Olympic Committee also stepped in to calm the situation.
On the 4th, Lee Ki-yi, who returned to Korea, held a press conference at the airport and apologized. He said, “As the captain, I should have been more careful in my words and actions… I sincerely apologize to those of you who are currently serving in the military.”
South Korean Olympic Committee President Lim Chengmin stated, "Athletes may consider these opinions as personal expression, but they don't align with public opinion. They should have learned their lesson and realized the consequences of getting involved in such controversy. Young athletes are more likely to encounter this situation."
He also promised, “In the future, we will seek ways to maintain the dignity and grace that team members should have when being interviewed in the Athletes’ Village or speaking on social media, and strive to show attitudes that are appropriate for the current situation.”
