All Korean men need to serve in the military for at least 18 months to 24 months. As required by Korean law. But there is a special pass if you become MVP of the national Korean soccer or some other sports. You compete with other athletes from all over the world and you win metals. Then S. Korea get recognized. With this recognition, they give you this “free pass” and now you do not need to serve in the military.

So you're thinking, okay...

I can't remember 100%, it was an article I read in passing. However, I remember seeing for this in the ~gaming category (not on SN) might know something about this. If you're familiar with LOL [League of Legends] which is just one of the many esports in general. These Korean gamers were great and were winning grand prize money and metals. So it became a topic, Since the Korean gamers were bringing recognition to the country in S. Korea, could they also get a “free pass.”

Maybe our friend, @south_korea_ln might know more about this possibly? Even if you're not Korean, what do you think of this??

I thought this was genuinely clever way, as I've only been told Korean military doesn't treat its members well. So that's really my only extent of what I know, and I haven't served in it, so I couldn't tell you.

Becoming an athlete in gaming and getting a “free pass?”