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Males in South Korean are generally supposed to serve almost two years (21 months) in the country's military.
Son Heung-min, thanks in part to his footballing ability, got an exemption.
It's notable looking back on it even now, because it helps to emphasize the meaning of sport to this proud country. It also shines a bit of a light on Son's national popularity.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup could be Son's last on the pitch, or at least his last as a major contributor.
That makes his journey all the more special as the Korean side hopes to make some noise and give Son a big spotlight representing his nation in North America.
MORE: Germany fan Freddy is going viral for his journey through the American South
How Son Heung-min avoided full military service
The key for Son is that he helped the Korean national team win a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
Because of that, he was granted an exemption from the usually mandatory 21-month military service that South Korean males have to undertake.
Instead, Son got to serve a three-week program at a Marine Corps boot camp in 2020.
It was a huge break for Son in his professional career, which took him to the German Bundesliga, then the English Premier League, and now to Major League Soccer in the United States.
A 21-month absence would've altered his career timeline considerably.
Instead, by bringing a gold medal to his country, Son was given a reprieve, and he has made the most of it by becoming one of the world's most popular footballers.
More FIFA World Cup news:
- Pope Leo XIV shares an inspiring message on sport, life before World Cup
- Lamine Yamal hanging out at a Walmart
- Harry Kane reveals blunt feelings about potential England issues in U.S. heat
- Lawrence, Kansas has fallen in love with the Algerian national team
- Zlatan bashes Erling Haaland in hilarious way
Billy Heyen
Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who spent his senior year following Jim Boeheim's basketball team around the country. His reporting work has also included extensive high school sports coverage at the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Adventures in sports writing have also led to in-person coverage of the Buffalo Sabres, Cleveland Guardians, U.S. men's national soccer team and a variety of minor league baseball stories. When people ask if he's seen a movie, the answer is usually "No, I was probably watching sports." Even away from sports, his main hobby is running (much slower than any athlete in these pages).
Source: Sporting News
