Tottenham Hotspur loanee Yang Min-hyeok has issued a lengthy apology after appearing to suggest that South Korea's players were motivated by military service exemptions rather than by winning a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Yang, 20, who joined Belgian Pro League club Westerlo on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window, assisted Eom Jisung of Swansea City for their winning goal in Saturday's gold medal match against hosts Japan.
Military service exemption context
Winning the Asian Games earns men under 28 an exemption from serving 18 to 21 months in the military; instead, they undergo basic training, which lasts several weeks. South Korea have won the men's football tournament in each of the last four editions, dating back to a 1-0 win after extra time over North Korea in 2014, when central defender Rim Chang-woo scored a 120+1-minute winner.
Son Heung-min secured his exemption after their 2018 gold medal win, and now Yang has done the same. However, the Spurs loanee was one of a couple of players whom South Korean media and disappointed supporters perceived to have appeared overly enthusiastic about avoiding military service for their nation.
Controversial remarks and apology
When questioned about receiving a medal instead of a trophy, Yang reportedly stated: "We were being compensated, and the compensation was military exemption, so it feels like we played with that one thing in mind. Honestly, whether it was a trophy or a medal wasn't important."
Shortly afterwards, Yang issued a public apology via social media to the Korean people. He said: "Hello, this is Yang Min-hyeok. I am sincerely sorry for causing disappointment and discomfort to so many people with my remarks regarding the Asian Games.
"Participating in the Asian Games as a representative of South Korea held great significance for me, and as an athlete, I naturally gave my all with the goal of winning the championship and the gold medal. However, I failed to properly convey that the military service exemption was merely one of several motivators - alongside the desire to achieve great results - that drove me forward.
"Regardless of my original intent, it is clearly my fault that my words caused discomfort and made it appear as though I took the significance of the gold medal lightly as a national team athlete. I recognise that the gold medal was not something simply guaranteed; it was an achievement made possible only through the hard work and support of many people.
"Furthermore, I never intended to belittle or mock the efforts of those currently fulfilling their military service obligations or those who will do so in the future. I sincerely apologise to everyone who was hurt or disappointed by my thoughtless remarks. Moving forward, I will strive to make amends not only through my words but by demonstrating a better attitude and a greater sense of responsibility on the field. My sincere apologies."
