Exemption from military service

By Park Moo-jong

The Jakarta Palembang Asian Games 2018 have entered midway with national players of 45 participating countries doing or having done their best in 40 events for the honor of their countries, not to mention their own.

The international competition is drawing extraordinary attention here, thanks to a certain privilege, namely the coveted exemption from compulsory military service for male athletes.

As well known, perhaps, across the world, South Korean men aged between 18 and 35 have to perform 21 to 24 months of mandatory military service ― while women may voluntarily enlist ― to face North Korea's more than 1 million troops across the heavily guarded border.

The compulsory service in the military is a sacred duty of manhood as stipulated by the Constitution. In particular, anyone seeking top government jobs or running for the National Assembly should provide not only their own service records but those of their children.

In short, until one finishes his military duty, he is "not a man." But the compulsory system has caused complaints that it interrupts careers and schooling to serve during the "prime time" of male citizens aged 18-35.

The government, thus, has given military service exemption by law since 1981 to sportsmen who earn a gold medal at the Asian Games or any medal, irrespective of its color, at the Olympics for "enhancing national prestige in international competitions."

The special favor also affects other major international competitions designated by the government like classical music contests, such as violin and piano, among others.

Against this backdrop, the rare system has become the talk of the town because of world-class player Son Heung-min, 26, of Tottenham Hotspur in the British Premier League, and some "controversial members" of the baseball team.

Not only the British club but the global soccer world is much concerned about Son's "future" for the South Korean team's failure means a great loss to Tottenham as well as himself. Tottenham was under no obligation to release Son for the tournament, but decided to do so. Without an exemption, Son will end up spending almost two years at the peak of his career back in South Korea doing his service.

For the moment, his hope is still alive as his team was qualified to play for gold against Japan tomorrow by coming from behind to stop Uzbekistan 4-3 in a quarterfinal Monday and then Vietnam 3-1 in a semifinal Wednesday.

Frankly speaking, most people hope Son will be able to show prowess in the EPL by winning the gold in the Asian sports festival. Even ardent supporters demand he not be drafted despite a possible failure in Jakarta through a revision of the related law and regulations.

However, the special privilege has become a hot potato due to the star-studded baseball team, comprised of professional players from the Korea Baseball Organization. The joining of two 28-year-old players has brought about strong criticism from not only fans but ordinary citizens.

The two were recruited just to avoid conscription, though there were other better players for the Asian Games, according to many baseball lovers who even cursed that a silver is enough. South Korea is the strong favorite for gold because its rivals Japan and Taipei Chinese are fielding amateur players. Surprisingly, South Korea suffered a humiliating 2-1 loss to Taiwan in the opening game Sunday.

By the way, the players who are yet to finish their military service will be doing their utmost for the gold in the Asian Games. But the system should be sincerely reviewed on this occasion because the list of international competitions designated for the possible military service exemption is unfair.

For instance, the list, made in 1973, includes dance and drama competitions, but B-boying, film and pop music were excluded. Of course, BTS who were the first K-pop group to top the Billboard chart is not entitled to the special measure. Who can rival the sensational boy band in terms of promoting national prestige in the international community?

If the system is to be be maintained, the list of international competitions to be affected must be reviewed to create a "fair list." Still there are young men in many fields who contribute to the nation and encourage the people.

Otherwise, the related authorities, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, need to be serious in examining whether to maintain or scrap it.

The answer may be easy: Exempt the talented young male citizens from the mandatory conscription to help them work during their heydays for national glory on various international stages.

Instead, give them a "compulsory opportunity" to serve the nation and the people after their prime time, possibly when they turn 36, for a fixed period. Of course, this idea must be supported by a national consensus.

Wishing ardently for Son and his team's triumph in tomorrow's final against Japan, I'd like to remind the constitutional clauses that the citizens of the Republic of Korea have a duty to have education, pay tax, work and serve in the military.

Park Moo-jong (emjei29@gmail.com) is a standing adviser of The Korea Times. He served as the president-publisher of the nation's first English daily newspaper from 2004 to 2014 after working as a reporter since 1974.