South Korea on verge of cutting athlete military exemptions after backlash

SEOUL, South Korea -- 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 apologised 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.

\- Asian Games: South Korea footballers apologise after military service remarks

\- England's Nations League takeaways: Kane makes history, Tuchel steadies ship

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."