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South Korean football player Yang Min-hyeok apologized after comments he made following his team's victory at the Asian Games suggested that avoiding military service was their main motivation for winning. The Asian Games gold medal exempts South Korean male athletes from full-time mandatory military service, which typically lasts 18-21 months. Yang and other players initially emphasized this exemption as a significant reward but later faced criticism for diminishing the value of the trophy itself. In response to public backlash, Yang issued a detailed apology via social media, expressing regret and acknowledging that winning the gold medal was an important achievement through hard work rather than just a means to avoid military service.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In the 2023 Asian Games, South Korea won their fourth consecutive gold medal by defeating Japan with a score of 1-0. The winning goal was assisted by Yoon Sang-sik (on loan at Belgian side Westerlo), who provided support for Eom Jisung's strike. In a post-match interview, Yoon suggested that the main motivation behind his team’s efforts was to earn military exemption, which South Korea grants to Asian Games and Olympic medalists. This exemption allows athletes to complete several weeks of basic training and community service instead of serving the full 18-21 months required for mandatory military service in South Korea. The comments drew criticism as they implied that winning was secondary to avoiding military duty. Former Tottenham Hotspur player Son Heung-min previously benefited from this exemption after leading South Korea to gold in the 2018 Asian Games.
Written for “Asian Games Trophy Win” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.35, but every quote it verified points right, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 57606: score contradicts its own evidence · logged 2026-10-05
South Korea won a fourth consecutive Asian Games gold on Saturday after beating hosts Japan 1-0, with Yang providing the assist for Eom Jisung's winning goal.
asserted
Yang → win → goal
Able-bodied men in South Korea must serve between 18-21 months of military service before the age of 28.
asserted
men → serve → 28
However, government exemptions are granted to gold medalists at the Asian Games and all Olympic medalists.
asserted
exemptions → grant → Games
Instead, they must complete several weeks of basic training and a number of hours of community service.
asserted
they → complete → service
Former Spurs forward Son Heung-min earned exemption after he guided South Korea to Asian Games gold in 2018, and Yang, who is on loan at Belgian side Westerlo, appeared to suggest that the “real reward” for winning gold was military exemption.
asserted
reward → earn → gold
Speaking after South Korea’s victory over Japan, Yang is reported to have said, in quotes from The Korea Times, that the main motivation for him and his team-mates was to avoid military service.
asserted
motivation → speak → service
“We were being compensated, and the compensation was military exemption, so it feels like we played with that one thing in mind.
asserted
we → compensate → mind
Honestly, whether it was a trophy or a medal wasn't important,” Yang said.
asserted
Yang → say → ?
Yang’s comments, which were echoed by captain Lee Gi-hyuk and defender Park Seung-soo, drew criticism, and the 20-year-old took to social media to apologise with a lengthy statement.
asserted
old → echo → statement
Lee and Park have also apologised for their respective comments.
asserted
Lee → apologise → comments
I am sincerely sorry for causing disappointment and discomfort to so many people with my remarks regarding the Asian Games," Yang wrote.
asserted
Yang → cause → Games
"Participating in the Asian Games as a representative of South Korea held great significance for me, and as an athlete, I naturally gave my all with the goal of winning the championship and the gold medal.
asserted
I → participate → championship
"However, I failed to properly convey that the military service exemption was merely one of several motivators—alongside the desire to achieve great results—that drove me forward.
asserted
that → fail → me
Regardless of my original intent, it is clearly my fault that my words caused discomfort and made it appear as though I took the significance of the gold medal lightly as a national team athlete.
asserted
I → cause → athlete
I recognise that the gold medal was not something simply guaranteed; it was an achievement made possible only through the hard work and support of many people.
asserted
it → recognise → people
Furthermore, I never intended to belittle or mock the efforts of those currently fulfilling their military service obligations or those who will do so in the future.
asserted
who → intend → future
"I sincerely apologise to everyone who was hurt or disappointed by my thoughtless remarks.
asserted
who → apologise → remarks
Moving forward, I will strive to make amends not only through my words but by demonstrating a better attitude and a greater sense of responsibility on the field.
asserted
I → move → field
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