Tom Kim military exemption, explained: Why Korean golfer must win Asian Games to avoid mandatory service

Tom Kim was a star for the International Team at the Presidents Cup, but he faces a much more important tournament at the 2026 Asian Games.

Kim is representing South Korea in the games as he looks to earn gold, but he has more on the line than just pride. A win would change Kim's life by allowing him to avoid mandatory service in the South Korea military in the near future.

Kim is the 32nd-ranked golfer in the world and has continued to raise his game, but serving in the military could impact his golf development. Therefore, the 24-year-old has hopes of securing gold to join a few of his fellow Korean golfers in gaining military exemption.

Here's a breakdown of what's on the line for Kim this week.

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Tom Kim military exemption

As a South Korean man, Kim is subject to the country's mandatory military service rules. However, athletes are able to get an exemption from serving if they reach a certain status, which includes earning any kind of Olympic medal or an Asian Games gold medal.

Athletes who win those exemptions are only required to do four weeks of basic training over a 42-month span and are able to avoid active duty altogether.

Kim's first attempt at getting military exemption came at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he finished in eighth place and failed to medal. Kim will now turn to his first Asian Games, where he will have two chances to win gold, one as an individual and one in the team event.

In the 2022 Asian Games, which was played in 2023 and was the first playing that allowed professional golfers to participate, South Korea won the men's gold in the team event. Behind that victory was Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim, allowing both players to get military exemption.

This year's team event features three South Korean golfers, as Tom Kim is joined by S.H. Kim and Doyeob Mun. Golf at the Asian Games opens on Wednesday, with Kim being the favorite to take home gold as an individual.

Golf at the Asian Games starts on Weds and I’ll be keeping a keen eye on the leaderboard and hoping Tom Kim can win gold and earn exemption from military service. He’ll be favourite, but will have to beat some decent players like Keita Nakajima and Kazuki Higa (on home soil) 🤞

South Korea mandatory military service laws

South Korean able-bodied men over the age of 18 are required to serve in the military for anywhere between 18 and 21 months, depending on the branch of military. Typically, men are drafted upon turning 18, but the military allows some to delay their service for a variety of reasons, including health or certain professions.

Athletes are able to delay their service in attempts to get exemptions through athletic excellence, which requires a medal in the Olympic games or a gold medal in the Asian Games.