Nagoya:South Korea's men's football team secured a 1-0 victory against Japan, earning the gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and granting 20 out of 23 players exemption from mandatory military service. This achievement allows them to focus on their football careers without interruptions.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the decisive goal was scored by Eom Ji-sung in the 61st minute during the final held at Toyota Stadium, located 30 kilometers east of Nagoya. Eom, who plays for Swansea City in the English Football League Championship, was one of nine players on the team who are based overseas.

For these players, military exemption carries significant financial benefits, as it reassures clubs about offering them long-term contracts. Although this year's squad, coached by Lee Min-sung, did not include stars like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, it featured promising talents such as Eom Ji-sung, Bae Jun-ho of Stoke City, and Yang Hyun-jun of Celtic FC, who are now poised to further their careers without service obligations.

The exemption also benefits Kim Ji-soo, a defender for Brentford and the youngest South Korean to play in the Premier League. With the senior national team facing a transitional period as veteran players age, the development of these younger players is crucial for the team's future success. The gold medal win has provided them with an opportunity to grow into key members of the national team.