Kasugai:By winning the Asian Games gold medal in men's golf, PGA Tour member Kim Joo-hyung has not only added a prestigious title to his career but also secured an exemption from mandatory military service required for able-bodied South Korean men.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this exemption allows South Korean athletes like Kim, who are based overseas, to continue their sporting careers without interruption during their prime years. Kim joins a list of high-profile athletes, including football star Son Heung-min, who have benefited from this exemption after winning gold medals at the Asian Games.
Kim, 24, achieved the individual gold medal with a score of 18-under 262 at the Kasugai Country Club East Course. This victory places him among notable South Korean athletes who have previously received military exemptions, such as footballer Lee Kang-in and several baseball players who went on to play in Major League Baseball, including Park Chan-ho and Kim Byung-hyun.
In golf, Kim follows in the footsteps of fellow PGA Tour veterans Kim Si-woo and Im Sung-jae, who won the team gold medal three years ago. Known in America as Tom Kim, he was recognized early in his career as a promising talent, winning two PGA Tour events before turning 21, a feat not achieved since Tiger Woods in 1996.
The exemption comes at a crucial time for Kim, who has recently overcome a slump. He marked his first PGA Tour victory since October 2023 by winning the Genesis Scottish Open in July. Prior to the Asian Games, he delivered a strong performance at the Presidents Cup, earning four points for the International Team.
Kim traveled directly from the United States to Japan for the Asian Games, overcoming jet lag to perform consistently over four rounds. He stated that he avoided news and social media during the tournament to maintain focus on representing his country rather than personal achievements. "I did not pay any mind to reports (about my military service exemption)," Kim said. "I traveled here to represent the country, not to accomplish any personal goal, and I tried to stay focused on that."