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Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, answers lawmakers' questions during the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit of the committee and other organizations at the National Assembly on the 21st. / Reporter Song Ui-joo

At the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) on the 21st, calls were raised to abolish military service exemptions for Asian Games gold medalists.

Representative Im O-kyeong of the Democratic Party of Korea said during the audit that day, "While amateur athletes train with blood and tears to represent the nation, professional athletes entered the Asian Games for personal interest, sparking public outrage," adding, "Military exemptions for the Asian Games should be abolished."

Representative Yoon Yong-geun of the People Power Party pointed out the issue of imbalance in quota allocations by sport within the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps. Representative Yoon noted, "While the quota of athletes assigned to the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps for summer sports stands at 322 athletes across 24 disciplines, the quota for winter sports is merely 4 athletes in 1 discipline," questioning, "Can a disparity of this scale be called reasonable?"

The issue of some athletes being blocked from competing in the National Sports Festival due to administrative blunders by local sports councils and deficiencies in the KSOC system was also raised. Representative Noh Jong-myeon of the Democratic Party demanded an apology from KSOC President Ryu Seung-min, arguing that fundamental responsibility lies in the KSOC's flawed computer network.

In response, President Ryu stated, "As an administrator who was once an athlete, and as president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, I offer my apologies that athletes suffered harm and that the sweat they poured out in the meantime was reduced to nothing due to administrative clumsiness." Regarding the abolition of military service exemptions for Asian Games gold medalists, President Ryu took the stance that "we need to take a very cautious approach to revoking them on account of a few professional players."

During the audit targeting the Korea Football Association (KFA), inquiries were raised regarding rumors of discord within the national football team. Representative Jeong Yeon-wook of the People Power Party asked Lee Yong-soo, vice president of the KFA and acting president of the association, "Are you aware that among national team players recently, Son Heung-min is called not by name, but as 'Number 7' or 'that person'?" Representative Jeong also presented interview clips of Kim Min-jae, who had stirred controversy over retirement remarks, and midfielder Hwang In-beom.

Vice President Lee replied, "I received a brief report on the matter," adding, "However, in accordance with the principle that what happens inside the locker room is resolved inside the locker room, we reached a consensus to keep discussing it within the national team." He continued, "I hope that as the national team unites more as one and prepares for the November international friendlies and the Asian Cup around interim head coach Robert Moreno going forward, things will improve little by little."

                                                                                                           Lee Jang-won