Tom Kim secures military exemption after Asian Games triumph
South Korean golf star Tom Kim has secured exemption from his nation’s compulsory military service after claiming individual gold at the Asian Games, reports BritPanorama.
Kim delivered a commanding performance at Kasugai Country Club, finishing 18 under par and winning by a three-stroke margin. He entered the final day leading and fired a superb six-under-par 64, recording five birdies and an eagle before a nervy bogey at the 17th. His tap-in par on the 18th prompted an audible roar of relief from spectators.
Kim remarked, “I tried not to think about it. I just tried to play best for my country. It’s a big stepping stone. I think the pressure that I felt this week, I’ll be able to implement it in my upcoming seasons.” Under South Korean law, nearly all able-bodied men must complete between 18 and 21 months of national service before turning 28.
The South Korean government grants exemptions to those who win gold at the Asian Games or secure any medal at the Olympics, requiring only basic training of less than a month. Notably, former Tottenham forward Son Heung-min earned his own exemption after South Korea triumphed at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, completing three weeks of basic training during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although Kim dominated the individual event, South Korea fell short in the team competition, finishing behind China, with Japan taking bronze. This format counted only the two best scores from each three-man squad per round, meaning teammate Kim Seong-hyeon, who closed with a 73, missed out on an exemption. The third member of the squad, 35-year-old Mun Do-yeob, carded a final-round 70 but had already completed his service.
In addition to Kim’s victory, 16 South Korean baseball players secured exemptions following a 3-1 victory over Japan in their final. Three esports competitors also won gold at the Asian Games, with legendary player Lee Sang-hyeok, known as “Faker,” helping his teammates avoid conscription alongside his previous gold medal run.
With sports intersecting with national duty, Kim’s achievement serves as a reminder of the pressures athletes face, while the broader implications of such exemptions continue to stir discussions in South Korea.
