"Preventing COVID-19 Spread... Son Heung-min Enlists in Marine Corps Today (20th) with Private Admission"

Soccer player Son Heung-min / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Soccer player Son Heung-min (28, Tottenham) secretly enlisted in the Marine 9th Brigade in Jeju Island on the 20th to undergo basic military training.

On the same day, Son Heung-min entered the Marine 9th Brigade training center located in Moseulpo, Jeju Island, and is scheduled to undergo approximately three weeks of basic military training until August 8.

Son Heung-min had previously announced that he would enlist privately to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 10th, Son Heung-min posted on his Facebook, "Recently, due to COVID-19, it is necessary to refrain from events where many people gather," and he earnestly requested, "To prevent damage and spread related to COVID-19, I repeatedly ask fans and the press to refrain from visiting the site."

Son Heung-min won a gold medal as an under-23 (U-23) player at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and received military service exemption benefits.

Accordingly, Son Heung-min, who was transferred as an art and sports personnel, will complete his military service obligation by undergoing basic military training, then serving as an active player for 34 months while completing 544 hours of volunteer work within a certain period.