Newcastle United youngster Park Seung-soo has issued an apology after posting an image on social media wearing a 'discharge cap' in the aftermath of South Korea's Asian Games victory on Saturday.
Park was an unused substitute as South Korea's under-23s beat Japan 1-0 in the final of the Asian Games to win the gold medal, which meant every member of the squad had earned a military exemption.
Military exemption rules
Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men must perform 18 to 21 months of military service. Special exemptions are granted for athletes and classical artists who excel in certain kinds of international competitions tied to national prestige. For athletes, that means any medal at the Olympics or a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Park and his team-mates have now earned that exemption, and after posting an image of himself wearing a 'discharge cap', he has received a huge backlash in his homeland.
Apology on Instagram
So much so, the 19-year-old took to Instagram to issue an apology, as he posted: 'Hello. This is Park Seung-soo, a member of the Asian Games football national team. Regarding the photo I posted on SNS right after the final match, I would like to apologise to all fans. I sincerely apologise to those who felt uncomfortable due to my actions.
"Right after the match, I received a cap from a fan at the venue and wore it. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for winning the gold medal after months of preparation and effort, I took a photo and posted it on SNS without deeply considering the cap’s meaning at that moment.
"However, I never intended to mock or belittle those serving their national defence duties. I have also never taken the significance of the Taegeuk Mark lightly.
"I am fully aware that the opportunities and privileges from this gold medal are not something to be taken for granted. I will demonstrate greater responsibility to repay the public’s support and expectations. Once again, I sincerely apologise to everyone who felt uncomfortable due to my reckless actions."
Olympic committee response
Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, also commented on the situation, as he added: "Players may think of it as an individual expression, but such remarks do not align with public sentiment.
"As these issues sparked controversy, they must have learned and reflected. Younger athletes are particularly exposed. Moving forward, we will explore ways to ensure national team members maintain dignity and decorum in interviews and SNS posts within the athletes’ village, aligning with the expected standards."
Park, who was the youngest member of the South Korea squad, featured twice across their Asian Games campaign and will now return to Newcastle looking to kick on with the under-21 side.
The talented teenager impressed in pre-season last summer immediately after joining the club from Suwon Bluewings and was twice named on the bench for the first team last season. Matthias Jaissle has shown he has faith in the club's youngsters, and Park has plenty of competition out wide at under-21 level with Michael Mills, Kyran Thompson and Matheos Ferreira all pushing for first team opportunities, too.
