South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense says it plans to pursue a gradual reduction of supplementary service arrangements, potentially including the eventual abolition of the special system for artists and athletes. The announcement follows public criticism of comments and celebrations by members of the Asian Games men’s football team that appeared to emphasize the military-service benefit attached to winning gold.
Ministry spokesperson Jeong Bit-na said at a regular briefing on October 6 that the government would consider fairness among those subject to military duty, the shrinking pool of available personnel and public consensus. She described reducing or abolishing supplementary service, including the arts and sports personnel category, as the ministry’s fundamental direction and said it would be incorporated into the Basic Plan for National Defense Reform.
The arts and sports personnel system was introduced in 1973 to recognize achievements considered to promote Korean culture and national prestige. Under the current criteria described by the reports, athletes qualify by placing third or higher at the Olympics or winning gold at the Asian Games. Those selected complete three weeks of basic military training and then remain active in their professional field for 34 months, including 544 hours of public service using their specialized skills.
- Current athletic criteria
- An Olympic top-three finish or an Asian Games gold medal
- Basic military training
- Three weeks
- Professional service period
- Thirty-four months
- Required specialized service
- Five hundred forty-four hours
The latest dispute revived longstanding concerns that selection for some Asian Games teams can become entangled with military-service considerations. Similar criticism surfaced after the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, when football and baseball roster decisions involving players facing military service drew scrutiny. This year’s debate intensified after reported interviews and a ceremonial display by football players were interpreted by some members of the public as treating military relief as the competition’s central reward.
The policy direction is clear, but the timetable is not
Politicians from both major parties expressed support for reconsidering the system. Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Gyu-back argued that the exemption framework should already have been abolished and cited the sharp decline in military personnel. People Power Party spokesperson Park Sung-hoon said the honor of representing the country should not be turned into a personal story of escaping military service.
The ministry’s statement sets a policy direction, but the reports did not provide a timetable, reduction target or draft legislative amendment. Any concrete change will therefore depend on how the reform plan defines eligible groups and transitional rules, as well as whether the National Assembly revises the governing law. Current beneficiaries and athletes preparing for international competitions will need to watch whether the government proposes phased restrictions, complete abolition or different service obligations.