Por Renan Filho · 2026-09-27Tom Kim, the prodigious South Korean golfer who captivated global audiences with his Presidents Cup heroics, is already looking ahead to his next high-stakes tournament: the Asian Games. But unlike most athletes, Kim isn’t just chasing medals—he’s chasing freedom from compulsory military service.
Kim’s decision to compete in the Asian Games, scheduled for September 2026 in Aichi, Japan, is a calculated move. Under South Korean law, able-bodied men must serve 18 to 21 months in the military before age 28. However, athletes who win gold at the Asian Games or any medal at the Olympic Games are granted an exemption, replaced by a shorter period of alternative service. For Kim, who turned 22 in June, time is of the essence.
The Presidents Cup, held last week at Royal Montreal, showcased Kim’s fiery competitiveness. He went 2-1-1 in matches, helping the International Team push the United States to the limit before losing 17½ to 12½. His passionate displays—including a dramatic eagle putt on Sunday—earned him praise from teammates like Hideki Matsuyama. But Kim was already thinking beyond Canada. In post-tournament interviews, he confirmed his intention to represent South Korea at the Asian Games, citing the exemption as a primary motivation.
This is not an isolated case. South Korea’s military exemption policy has long been a double-edged sword. It rewards elite athletes and classical musicians, but critics argue it creates two tiers of citizenship. The government defends the policy as necessary to maintain national prestige in sports and arts, while the vast majority of young men must interrupt their careers and education to serve.
Tom Kim’s path is particularly instructive. He turned professional at 15, moved to the United States, and has amassed over $12 million in career earnings. Yet, like every other South Korean male, he faces the same conscription deadline. The Asian Games gold medal would allow him to continue his PGA Tour career without interruption, a valuable outcome for both him and his sponsors.
**Context** South Korea’s conscription system dates back to the Korean War armistice. With a population of 51 million and a standing threat from North Korea, mandatory service remains a cornerstone of national defense. Approximately 200,000 men are conscripted each year. The exemption for medalists is codified in the Military Service Act, with specific categories: Olympic any medal, Asian Games gold, and World Championships gold in certain sports.
In golf, only one South Korean man has ever won an Asian Games gold medal: K.T. Kim in 2006. No South Korean male golfer has ever won an Olympic medal. Tom Kim’s best chance at exemption lies in the Asian Games. The event features a men’s individual and team competition, and South Korea typically fields a strong team. If Kim wins individual gold or helps the team win gold, he secures the exemption.
Kim is not alone in this pursuit. Fellow pros such as Si Woo Kim and Sungjae Im have also considered Asian Games participation, though both are older and may have fewer opportunities due to PGA Tour scheduling conflicts. The Korean Golf Association is expected to announce its final roster later this year.
**Análise FORTIS** From a liberal-conservative perspective, Tom Kim’s situation exposes the tension between individual liberty and state compulsion. The South Korean government forces young men to surrender years of their lives to serve a collective purpose, regardless of their personal ambitions or economic contributions. Kim, a self-made millionaire who brings positive attention to his country, should be free to pursue his career without government interference.
Yet, the exemption scheme itself is a distortion of free-market principles. Instead of eliminating conscription altogether, the state picks winners—athletes and artists—based on arbitrary criteria. This is cronyism disguised as patriotism. A truly free society would allow all individuals to choose how to serve their nation, whether through military service, volunteer work, or economic productivity. The current system penalizes the average citizen while rewarding the famous.
Kim’s strategy is rational within an irrational framework. He is using the system to his advantage, as any enterprising individual would. But the underlying problem remains: South Korea’s mandatory military service is a relic of a bygone era, ill-suited to a modern, globalized economy. The liberal-conservative position is clear: reduce the size of the state, end conscription, and allow the market to allocate labor efficiently. National security can be maintained with a professional, volunteer force funded by tax revenues rather than forced servitude.
Q: Why does Tom Kim need an exemption? Can’t he just pay a fine? A: No. South Korea does not allow buyouts. The only legal exemptions are for medical conditions, certain artists and athletes, and conscientious objectors (who must still perform alternative civilian service).
Q: What happens if Kim doesn’t get the exemption? A: He must enlist by age 28. He would likely serve in the Republic of Korea Army, interrupting his PGA Tour career for about 18 months. Some athletes have returned successfully (e.g., soccer player Son Heung-min), but for golfers, it can derail momentum.
Q: How many athletes get exemptions each year? A: Roughly 50-100 athletes, mostly in Olympic sports like archery, taekwondo, and baseball. Golf has been less represented.
Q: Is the Asian Games gold guaranteed for Kim? A: No. He will face strong competition from Japanese, Chinese, and other Asian pros. In 2022 (held in 2023), the men’s individual gold went to India’s Aditi Ashok’s compatriot? Actually, in 2022 Asian Games, golf had men’s individual gold won by Keita Nakajima of Japan. So Kim is a favorite but not certain.
Q: What are the alternatives for Kim? A: He could appeal for a postponement, but that requires government approval and is rarely granted for non-emergency reasons. He could also simply serve and then resume his career, but that costs him prime earning years.
Q: Does FORTIS support the exemption system? A: No. FORTIS opposes conscription in any form as a violation of individual rights. The exemption system is merely a less bad option within a coercive framework.
Tom Kim’s journey from the Presidents Cup to the Asian Games is a compelling story of ambition, but it also serves as a case study in how government overreach forces talented individuals to navigate unnecessary obstacles. A free society would not require such maneuvers. Until then, we wish Kim luck on the fairways of Aichi.