BTS member Jin meets with other members RM and J-Hope as he gets discharged from the military. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – When Choo Shin-soo, one of South Korea’s most successful Major League Baseball players, recently addressed longstanding rumors about avoiding national team duty after receiving a military service exemption, his explanation that “the team opposed it” did little to quell public criticism.
Despite his distinguished 16-year career in American baseball, online communities and news comment sections remain filled with accusations that Choo “enjoyed the benefits while turning his back on national duty” and complaints about “unfair military privileges that only exist in our country.”
The controversy highlights South Korea’s complex relationship with its military service exemption program for elite athletes and artists, a system that has been in place for 61 years and continues to spark heated debate about fairness and national duty.
In South Korea, where mandatory military service is viewed as a sacred obligation for young men, the success of male athletes in major international competitions like the Olympics and Asian Games invariably raises public interest not just in their medals, but in whether they will receive military exemptions.
The system, officially known as the “arts and sports personnel” category within the alternative service framework, allows qualified individuals to perform 34 months of public service in their field instead of active military duty.
While they must complete four weeks of basic military training, recipients essentially continue their careers uninterrupted, leading many to view it as a complete exemption from service.
The program traces its origins to 1973, when South Korea, then a developing nation eager to boost its international prestige, enacted legislation creating military service exemptions for elite athletes and artists.
The law was reportedly introduced after South Korea was bested by North Korea in the medal count at the 1972 Munich Olympics, highlighting the government’s determination to nurture talent in sports and the arts.
Soliders train at an Army basic training in Nonsan, 152 kilometers south of Seoul, on Dec. 7, 2023. (Yonhap)
Conductor Chung Myung-whun became the first artist to receive the exemption in 1974 after placing second in the Tchaikovsky International Music Competition’s piano division. In sports, wrestler Yang Jung-mo became the first beneficiary after winning South Korea’s first Olympic gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Games.
The criteria have become more stringent over time. Currently, artists must win prizes in specific categories at 35 designated competitions (25 international music competitions, five international dance competitions, and five domestic arts competitions). Athletes must secure bronze or higher at the Olympics or gold at the Asian Games.
According to military records, approximately 1,000 athletes have received exemptions since 1973, while between 20 and 30 artists are typically selected annually.
Few countries maintain similar systems. Taiwan allows alternative service for national team athletes who achieve specific rankings in major competitions, while Iran reportedly exempts athletes who win Olympic medals or Asian Games gold.
Israel operates special sports units, and Russia permits some musicians to serve in military ensembles. However, South Korea’s comprehensive program for both athletes and artists remains unique.
Critics argue that exempted individuals already receive substantial benefits, including prize money, pensions, and advertising revenues, making the military exemption an excessive privilege. They point to the stark contrast with regular conscripts who face restricted rights within military facilities.
The debate has intensified with the global success of K-pop groups, leading to calls for including popular artists in the exemption program. While K-pop stars significantly impact South Korea’s society, economy, culture, and diplomacy, the current system only recognizes classical and traditional arts.
Recent legislative attempts to expand or modify the system have failed. Multiple bills in the 21st National Assembly, including proposals to extend the conscription age limit for athletes and to include record-breaking athletes and popular artists, expired without passage.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
