Bill proposed to end blanket military service exemption for Asian Games champions

The Korea Times - Oct 9, 2026

A bill has been proposed in the National Assembly to end the automatic military service exemption for Asian Games gold medalists, following controversy sparked by Korean participants in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games. The bill, submitted by Rep. Joo Ho-young and nine other lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party, seeks to remove Asian Games gold medals as a standalone qualification for alternative military service under the arts and sports personnel program. The program, under the Military Service Act, allows eligible athletes to fulfill their military obligations by continuing their sporting careers rather than serving on active duty. Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists currently qualify. The bill would retain eligibility for Olympic medalists. It would also create a route for people recognized as having significantly enhanced the country’s international standing through achievements in arts or sports to qualify with Cabinet approval. “In some Asian Games sports, the composition of teams and standards of competition vary considerably. Yet gold medalists uniform

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NU, Letran dispute solo lead in SSL Unity Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Five-peat-seeking National University braces for Letran’s tough resistance when the two unbeaten teams clash for the solo lead in Pool A of the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel sees the reigning NCAA champion Lady Knights as one of the biggest threats to their reign. Miguel knows that even with NU’s advantage in depth and firepower, Letran is not a team to be taken lightly when they meet at 3 p.m. as action in the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea resumes after an 11-day break. “Letran, being the NCAA champion, has gained so much experience and we know magagamit nila sa game ‘yun. Kaya walang reason para maging complacent kami sa game,” Miguel said. The Lady Bulldogs had a dominating start in their title-retention bid, sweeping past San Beda University, 25-14, 25-19, 25-18, last September 26. Arah Panique, who scored nine points in the previous match, will again lead NU’s charge alongside veterans Vange Alinsug, Alexa Mata, Chams Maaya, Celine Marsh, Harlyn Serneche and Sam Cantada. The Lady Knights, meanwhile, are coming off a huge opening-day win after tripping Arellano University, 25-19, 18-25, 25-18, 25-18, last September 27. Letran coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki is pinning his hopes on Judiel Nitura, Carlyn Tizon, Sheena Sarie and Kaizah Huyno to pull off an upset over NU. Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and San Sebastian College-Recoletos square off at 1 p.m. to open the triple-header playdate of the tournament, supported by Smart, PusoP.com DICT, Executive Optical, Milo and Summit Natural Drinking Water, with the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners. The Lady Tamaraws and Lady Stags are tied on top of Pool C. FEU hurdled Ateneo De Manila University, 25-20, 25-13, 25-12, in its first game while SSC-R outlasted Emilio Aguinaldo College in a come-from-behind, 16-25, 18-25, 27-25, 25-23, 15-6, thriller. In the other pairing, University of the Philippines debuts against rebound-seeking University of the East at 5 p.m. in their Pool D showdown. The Lady Warriors seek to bounce back from a 22-25, 26-24, 26-24, 12-25, 13-15, defeat to Lyceum of the Philippines University. All games are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports. TMT