By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
Are World Baseball Classic (WBC) players deserving of exemption from military service? That's the mind-boggling question for Korean fans.
The Ministry of National Defense is opposing the grant of exemption to the four players, including Choo Shin-soo of the Cleveland Indians, who have yet to finish the mandatory two-year military services at home.
``This cannot be determined instantly based on winning or losing,'' Won Tae-jae, spokesman for the ministry, said.
The Korean team lost 5-3 in the WBC final against Japan, but it was the best record in WBC history for the Korean warriors.
All Korean males are subject to at least two years of mandatory military service. The law allows exceptions if a player wins Olympic gold or his team finishes at least third in the Asian Games. The WBC games are not eligible for exemptions under current law.
However, the Korea Baseball Association (KBA) will appeal to lawmakers to revise current law to grant exemptions to players in recognition of their outstanding performances.
Kang Seung-kyoo, KBA president and a lawmaker of the ruling Grand National Party, said Tuesday, ``We need something to reward them because they raised our national brand overseas and made people happy.''
Kang said, ``As a lawmaker, I will seek legislation for the exemption.''
He added that under the new bill, those exempt from the service are to work as trainers for young sports talent for about one year.
In reaction, ministry spokesman Won said, ``The criteria for the draft dodging of sport players were set several years ago. Kang's attempt is short-sighted and hurried.''
``We are aware of public opinion supporting their exemption is increasing. But we don't consider policy change now and we'll play by the rules,'' the spokesman said.
Of the 28 national baseball team members, four have not yet completed military duties ― Choo of Cleveland, Park Ki-hyuk of Lotte, Choi Jeong of SK and Lim Tae-hoon of Doosan.
In the meantime, a survey found seven out of 10 Korean citizens supported exemptions for the national baseball team members before their final game