Lee Jae-seong praises bronze, says he'll serve in military comfortably - CHOSUNBIZ

입력 2026.10.06. 14:10 Although he missed the gold medal, he is receiving more applause than the athletes who won gold. The remarks by Lee Jae-seong (25, Gwangju Metropolitan City Sports Council), a member of South Korea's men's 400m relay team that won the bronze medal, have become a major topic as they coincided with controversies over some soccer players' 'military exemption' comments and actions. South Korea's men's relay team member Lee Jae-seong finished the men's 400m relay final at the 2026 Aichi·Nagoya Asian Games at Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, on the night of the 28th of last month, teaming up with Seo Min-jun (Seocheon County Sports Council), Namadi Joeljin (Yecheon County Sports Council), and Biwesa Danielle Gasama (Ansan City Sports Council) to cross the finish line in 38.43 seconds. They finished third after China (38.17) and Taiwan (38.32). They also set a new South Korean record. Lee Jae-seong, Seo Min-jun, Joeljin, and Lee Jun-hyeok beat the previous record (38.49) set at the Asian Athletics Championships in May of last year by 0.06 seconds. It was the moment South Korea athletics won consecutive bronze medals at two straight games following the 2022 Hangzhou games. The South Korean athletes, including Lee Jae-seong, checked the time and celebrated by running while holding the Taegukgi. It is the third time in history that South Korea has won a medal in the men's 400m relay, including at the 1986 Seoul games. Lee Jae-seong's interview on his way home also drew attention. He told MBC Sports, "I still haven't done my military service, and I'm now the age when I have to serve. This Asian Games was the last Asian Games where I could receive the benefit of military exemption, but I'm just going to go to the military," adding, "I think this bronze medal is more valuable than a gold medal, so I think I can go to the military comfortably." At the Asian Games, only gold medalists are eligible for incorporation into the arts and sports personnel category for military service. Silver and bronze medals do not qualify. This competition was Lee Jae-seong's last chance to receive military service benefits, but he valued the meaning of the bronze medal he won more than the regret of missing the gold. Lee Jae-seong also wrote on social media, "My second Asian Games as a track and field athlete has come to an end. There were many ups and downs while preparing for this Asian Games, and many things happened even while competing, but because my desire to achieve my goals was strong, I ran to the end. I don't think this Asian Games is the end, and I will work hard for the next one," leaving remarks of determination and gratitude. Lee Jae-seong has shown outstanding performance and mindset as a pillar of South Korea athletics. His words are receiving more attention especially because they came right after the men's soccer team, which won the gold medal, sparked a major controversy over some players' remarks and actions related to military service benefits. The Republic of Korea under-23 (U-23) team, led by coach Lee Min-seong, defeated host nation Japan 1-0 in the final of the 2026 Aichi·Nagoya Asian Games held on the 3rd and won the championship. They made new history by achieving the Asian Games' first-ever four consecutive titles. However, immediately after the victory, captain Lee Ki-hyeok held up the gold medal and smiled broadly saying, "I won't go to the military," and Yang Min-hyeok also provoked controversy by saying, "It seems we played with the expectation of being rewarded with military exemption," adding, "we probably played the game looking only at that one reward." Park Seung-su was also criticized after posting a commemorative photo wearing his discharge hat. As the controversy grew, all three players apologized. Yang Min-hyeok bowed his head over his remark being perceived as saying he competed only for military service benefits, Lee Ki-hyeok apologized for making a thoughtless remark in a moment of excitement, and Park Seung-su acknowledged his mistake, saying he did not give sufficient thought to the meaning of the hat. By contrast, Lee Jae-seong spoke first about the value of the bronze medal despite not receiving the military benefit that might have been crucial to him. His remarks have been revisited in light of this controversy. Fans' reactions have been strong online, with comments such as "He really speaks so beautifully," "His mindset is a gold medal," "His values are so admirable," and "It sounds like something said to someone." [OSEN] ※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.