South Korea captain apologises after military service remark
Lee Gi-hyuk said he regretted his post-match remark about military service after South Korea won Asian Games football gold.
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South Korea captain Lee Gi-hyuk has apologised after celebrating the prospect of avoiding mandatory military service following his team’s Asian Games football gold. South Korea beat hosts Japan 1–0 in the final. Afterwards, Lee held up his medal and announced that he was “not going to the military”, BBC Sport reports. [1]
In a social-media apology reported by local media, the 26-year-old said he was “deeply sorry” to fans currently serving and to those who had supported the team. He said he regretted speaking carelessly. [1]
South Korean men generally face 18 to 21 months of active military service before turning 28, according to BBC Sport. Asian Games champions are exempt from that service but must still complete basic training lasting less than a month. [1]
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