Shin Yu-bin and Lim Jong-hoon celebrate after securing the bronze medal in the mixed doubles table tennis event during the 2024 Paris Olympics at South Paris Arena 4, July 30. Newsis

Table tennis star Shin Yu-bin, 20, has been dubbed a "legal military exemption broker" by sports fans after winning a Paris Olympic bronze medal in mixed doubles with her partner Lim Jong-hoon, 27.

The nickname was bestowed upon Shin sarcastically as her performance enabled Lim to avoid active military service by qualifying as "arts and sports personnel," a status given to star athletes and artists for enhancing the "national prestige."

As Korea's military exemption policies for athletes and artists come under renewed scrutiny, the recent Olympic achievements of Shin and others have reignited debates about fairness and the need for reform.

The issue centers on whether winning an Olympic medal should still offer athletes exemption from mandatory military service, a privilege that has long been controversial.

This exemption allows athletes to fulfill their service through alternative duties, such as public service, after basic military training.

Lim, who was nearing the age limit for military exemption eligibility, had seen his chances dwindle after missing out on a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he earned silver in men's doubles and bronze in mixed doubles.

With the Paris Olympics being potentially his last shot, his partnership with Shin proved pivotal in securing his exemption.

Kim Ki-hee, center, is substituted into the bronze medal match of the 2012 London Olympics football tournament at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Britain. Korea Times file

Government reexamines exemptions

However, for men who have not yet completed their military service, this Olympic stage may be their last chance to secure an exemption through winning a medal, as the controversy surrounding these exemptions has prompted the government to reconsider the system.

The Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration are forming a task force to explore reforms that could be implemented before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

A government official told the Hankook Ilbo on Friday that a conclusion on potential revisions to the arts and sports personnel exemption policy is expected by the end of the year, although the exact timing of discussions remains undetermined.

The calls for reform have persisted for over a decade. Critics argue that the military exemption system, which was introduced in 1973 to reward athletes and artists for elevating the national prestige, no longer aligns with modern standards of fairness and equity.

The system has been criticized for disproportionately benefiting men and for focusing on achievements in specific international competitions, such as the Olympics and Asian Games.

BTS member V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, heads toward a vehicle to transfer to his military base at Chuncheon Station in Gangwon Province, Feb. 8. Yonhap

Past scandals fuel push for reform

The need for reform has been underscored by several scandals over more than 10 years.

In 2018, it was revealed that football player Jang Hyun-soo had submitted falsified documents to cover the required 544 hours of community service following his gold medal win at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Similarly, during the 2012 London Olympics, footballer Kim Ki-hee earned the nickname "4-Minute Discharge" after being subbed into the bronze medal match in the final minutes, securing his exemption despite barely playing in the tournament.

Park Chu-young of Ulsan HD FC, 39, who met the military exemption requirements at the tournament, also faced criticism when it was revealed that he had previously obtained Monaco residency to delay his military service.

In sports like baseball, national teams have often been composed primarily of players who have not yet completed their military service, leading to complaints of reverse discrimination against those who have already served.

These incidents, along with others involving athletes from various sports, have highlighted flaws in the system and contributed to growing public dissatisfaction.

Son Heung-min salutes after completing three weeks of basic military training at the Marine Corps' 9th Brigade training center in Seogwipo, Jeju, May 2020. Screenshot from Marine Corps Facebook

BTS' military service: new benchmark?

The debate over fairness in military exemptions gained further traction with the enlistment of BTS members, who were not granted exemptions despite their global success and massive contributions to Korea's cultural prestige.

The decision to have all seven members serve has been cited as a precedent for reassessing the criteria for military exemptions.

A recent poll conducted by Jowon C&I for Straight News found that 67.7 percent of respondents supported revising the military exemption policy to limit it to athletes who win medals at major international competitions.

This suggests that the public is increasingly in favor of a more equitable system.

Need for balanced approach

While there is strong support for reform, some caution against making drastic changes.

Critics argue that without exemptions, athletes like football star Son Heung-min and baseball players Ryu Hyun-jin and Park Chan-ho might have had their careers interrupted, potentially diminishing their international success.

They also point out that the unique circumstances of a conscription-based military in South Korea necessitate a careful approach to reform.

"Military exemptions are a matter of livelihood not only for athletes but also for other specialized professionals, so it is not an issue that can be easily abolished," said former lawmaker Lee Ailesa, a table tennis champion who now serves as co-chair of the National Sports Policy Committee.

She called for a thoughtful review of how athletes can fulfill their military obligations without derailing their careers, noting that opportunities for such service have diminished over the years.

"In the past, there were sports units within the Army, Navy and Air Force, which allowed athletes to fulfill their military duties while honing their skills. However, now even the National Police Agency no longer accommodates athletes, leaving them with no place to go," she said.

BTS member RM, center, who is currently serving in the military, rehearses for a military band performance with the 15th Infantry Division in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province, Aug. 2. Yonhap

Will reform happen this time?

The task force that will be convened this year is not the first of its kind. A similar effort was made after the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, but ultimately no changes were implemented.

As the government once again considers reforms, there is hope that a solution will be found that balances the need for fairness with the desire to maintain Korea's competitive edge in international sports.

As discussions progress, the public and the sporting community await the outcome, hoping for a policy that ensures both equity and the continued success of Korean athletes on the global stage.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.