Asian Games 2023: South Korea’s Lee Kang-in told military exemption brings ‘responsibility’ after beating Japan to men’s football gold
- Requirement for South Korean men to do 18 months in military is waived for an Asian Games gold medal, which the footballers clinched with 2-1 victory
- Paris Olympics is the next target for South Korea as they look to earn one of three qualifying slots available at under-23 Asian Cup
Paris Saint-Germain star Lee Kang-in has a “responsibility” to take South Korean football forward after earning a military exemption with Asian Games gold on Saturday, coach Hwang Sun-hong said.
Lee helped South Korea claim the title for the third time in a row with a livewire performance in his team’s 2-1 win over Japan in Hangzhou.
Nearly every able-bodied South Korean male is required to perform at least 18 months of military service, but the government gives exemptions to Asian Games gold medals and Olympic medals of any colour.
Lee follows in the footsteps of Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, who won gold in Jakarta in 2018.
Coach Hwang said the exemption was “very different from playing football” and has high hopes for Lee’s future.
“As long as the player has the Taeguk Warriors emblem on his shirt, he has the right and responsibility to play for Korea and play for its glory,” he said. “I am expecting his future success.”
