‘Let’s Get Ready for Advance into Quarterfinals’

There is possibility of military service exemption to players of the national soccer team, which has achieved the ‘World Cup final 16 Legend’.

Candidates who are going to be benefited are Song Chong-gug, Sul Ghi-hyun, Park Ji-sung, Lee Chun-soo, Choi Du-ri, Ahn Jung-hwan, Lee Young-pyo, Hyun Young-min, and Kim Nam-il, totaling ten players.

On June 15th by the presidential order Minister of Defense, Mr. Kim dong-sin has held a staff meeting regarding this issue. After meeting through spokesman Mr. Hwang Eui-don, the minister has express a affirmative plan to proceed military service exemption to the national soccer team in order to satisfy the nation’s hope and to maintain the soccer team’s integrity.

The Ministry of Defense plans to revise their military service enforcement regulation and obtain a Cabinet resolution soon. According to Military Manpower Administration official, the amendment will include the victorious World Cup soccer team heroes or more likely in form of ‘Anyone who has raised the nation’s honor’.

The current military service enforcement regulation provides benefit to sport players, who ranked at least third in the Olympic or first in the Asian competitions. These players with the recommendation of the Minister of Culture and Tourism for public work attendants (Sport & Art category) may received 4 weeks of basic military training and actively participate in their field of expertise for three years may be considered as fulfillment of their mandatory military service. Professional baseball players such as Park Chan-ho, Lee Seung-yup and others have received military service exemption by this regulation.

Before, the Ministry of Defense and the Office of Military Manpower Administration has objected to allowing military service exemption to World Cup soccer team because it may create a sense of incongruity based on universal conscription principle and equity.

Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com