South Korean skater will now have to do national service after celebrating too soon and missing out on victory by 0.01 seconds – costing him a gold medal that would have meant he could avoid the draft
A South Korean roller skater who lost a gold medal at the Asian Games after celebrating too early is now getting a new punishment for his complacency: 18 months to two years of military service.
Taiwan took the gold medal in the men’s 3000 meter roller skating relay at the Asian Games by just 0.01 seconds after Jung Cheol-won, who thought he had sealed the victory, raised his arms in celebration a few meters from the line and was pipped by Taipei’s Huang Yulin.
All able-bodied South Korean men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve in the military for about a year and a half to two years as part of the country’s efforts to protect itself against North Korea.
But athletes and artists can be exempted if they are found to have promoted national prestige, for example by winning certain international or national prizes, an Olympic medal or a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Not only did his mistake cost the 27-year-old and his teammates a gold medal and a stunning victory – it means that both he and another of his compatriots, 23-year-old Choi In-ho, are now eligible for the South Korean final. military design.
The news did not appear to have been well received by the team, who were seen sporting frowns on the podium as they collected their silver medals.
South Korean Jung Cheol-won is tipped to the line by Taiwanese rival Huang Yu-lin during the men’s 3000 meter relay final
Jung raised his arms at the finish line thinking he had won gold for his country… but got an unwanted surprise moments later
Silver medalists Jung Cheol-won, Choi In-ho and Choi Gwang-ho of South Korea attend the awards ceremony of the men’s 3000 meters relay skating event during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province on October 2 2023
South Korean troops march during a celebration marking the 75th anniversary of Korea Armed Forces Day in Seongnam, South Korea, September 26, 2023
All South Korean men between the ages of 18 and 28 must serve in the military for about 1.5 to 2 years as part of the country’s efforts to protect itself from North Korea
Huang Yu-lin (left) guided Jung Cheol-won (right) to the finish after the South Korean’s premature celebrations
‘I made quite a big mistake. I didn’t get to the finish at full speed. I let down my guard too soon,” Jung said after letting his concentration slip at the crucial moment.
‘I’m very sorry. I apologize to my teammates and to our fans who supported us. We all worked really hard for this, and it’s all my fault.”
Meanwhile, Taiwanese gold medalist Huang admitted he had spotted Jung’s mistake and used his trainer’s lessons to put the South Koreans on the post.
“I realized they were celebrating, but I wanted to tell them that while you were celebrating, I was still fighting,” he said.
‘I wasn’t sure if I would have reached the finish in time.
‘I was so sorry that I came just a little bit short and then the result came on the screen and it showed that I had won by a hundredth of a second, and that was just a miracle.’
While South Korea’s exceptional athletes and performers can be granted exemption from military service if they are overwhelmingly successful, it is rare for even some of the country’s best representatives to avoid military service.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min – one of the country’s most talented and successful athletes on the world stage – is believed to have been exempted in 2018 when he secured gold for the national team at the 2018 Asian Games.
But in 2020, he was forced to undergo three weeks of basic military training.
Meanwhile, several members of the K-pop group BTS are currently serving in South Korea’s armed forces, despite the boy band being one of the world’s best-selling music acts with tens of millions of fans around the world.
Band member Suga began his mandatory military service for South Korea last month, with the 30-year-old serving as a social worker – an alternative form of military service in the country.
The typical age range for mandatory service is 18 to 28 years, but in exceptional circumstances prominent figures can defer their service until the age of 30.
He is the third member of the group to perform military duties; the two others, Jin and J-Hope, are already on active duty at army bases.
Huang (center) was joined on stage by Chao Tsu-cheng (left) and Chen Yan-cheng (right)
Huang admitted that it was a “miracle” that he was able to snatch a gold from under Jung’s nose
K-pop star Suga of supergroup BTS has begun his mandatory military service in South Korea
BTS band members J-Hope (L) and Jin (right) joined the military for military service last year
Suga said on social media, “I will serve faithfully and come back… Please stay healthy and let’s all meet again in 2025!” Pictured: The band performed at the Grammys in Las Vegas last year
Suga said on social media, “I will serve faithfully and come back… Please stay healthy and let’s all meet again in 2025!”
People with physical and mental problems can instead carry out their duties for 21 months in non-military facilities such as welfare centers, community service centers and post offices.
Local media reported that Suga’s alternative service is likely related to a shoulder surgery he underwent in 2020.
Active duty soldiers must begin their service with five weeks of basic military training in boot camps.
Those serving alternative service must complete three weeks of basic military training and can choose when to take it, according to the Military Manpower Administration.