Golfer Tom Kim Leaves Presidents Cup for Asian Games to Seek Military Service Exemption
A potential gold medal at the Asian Games could exempt the South Korean golfer from his mandatory military service.
Golfer Tom Kim will depart the Presidents Cup early to compete in the Asian Games, where winning a gold medal could exempt him from South Korea's mandatory military service. Kim, a key player for the International team, earned three out of a possible four points at the Presidents Cup before heading to Japan for the Asian Games, which begin Wednesday.
Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men are required to serve between 18 and 21 months in the military. However, exemptions are available for athletes and classical artists who achieve significant international success. For athletes, earning any medal at the Olympics or a gold medal at the Asian Games can grant them this exemption.
Kim, born in Seoul, narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing fourth in the individual competition. His teammates Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim previously secured a gold medal for South Korea in the team event at the 2023 Asian Games.
Kim, who is a four-time PGA Tour winner, is one of only four players on the International team to have participated in all four opening sessions of the Presidents Cup. He will be joined on the South Korean team for the Asian Games by Do-yeob Moon and S.H. Kim.