Tom Kim won the men’s singles golf gold medal at the Asian Games on Saturday, Oct. 3, earning an exemption from South Korea’s military-service requirement. He closed with a 6-under 64 and a four-day total of 18-under 262. His victory put the exemption system at the center of the tournament for the South Korean golfer; the rules link specified sporting and artistic achievements to relief from service.
Kim, also known as Kim Joo-hyung, flew across the Pacific after the Presidents Cup competition ended the previous weekend, then competed in Japan. Asked about the exemption, he said, “Despite that, I’m more proud that I’m able to bring a medal for my country.” He said the travel, expectations and chance of winning gold had created pressure.
“I tried not to think about it,” Kim said. “I just tried to play (the) best for my country. It’s a big stepping stone. I think the pressure that I felt this week, I’ll be able to implement it in my upcoming seasons.”
Gold and Military Service
Most able-bodied men in South Korea must serve about 18 months in uniform. A medal of any color at the Olympics or gold at the Asian Games earns an exemption. The policy also covers classical and traditional musicians, dancers and other artists regarded as enhancing national pride.
Athletic results can matter well beyond the medal table. Tom Kim’s gold qualifies him for the exemption, but South Korea’s silver in the team competition didn’t qualify the other members of its golf team. S.H. Kim, who competed with Tom Kim, closed with a 73; Mun Do-yeob shot 70. Mun, 35, had already completed military service.
Team Results and Other Exemptions
Three golfers finished three strokes behind Tom Kim and entered a playoff. Japan’s Kazuki Higa took silver; Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana won bronze. China won the team event, with South Korea taking silver and Japan bronze.
The golf competition covered 72 holes of stroke play. Each team had three players, and its best two scores counted toward the team total each day. Tom Kim played at Kasugai Country Club on a 7,035-yard course. He made an eagle on the par-5 13th on each of the final two days. The 520-yard hole was reachable on sunny days with little wind.
Other South Korean athletes also received exemptions. Sixteen South Korean baseball players qualified after South Korea beat Japan 3-1 in the Asian Games final earlier in the week. Three South Koreans who won gold in esports qualified, too.
Lee Sang-hyeok, known as “Faker” in esports, said, “Of course the result is important, and the fact that the players will be exempt from the military service is important.” Lee won gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, three years ago. This time, he helped teammates avoid conscription.
South Korean news agency Yonhap called the exemption system “outdated” and called for change. It said the baseball victory over Japan “symbolically reflects the changed times and the public’s expectations.” The tournament delivered individual exemptions and renewed public debate over the rules linking national service, sporting success and recognition of national pride.