Park Chu-young pledges to do military service

Arsenal striker Park Chu-young said Wednesday he will do his military service “no matter what,” breaking his months-long silence over his controversial decision to delay military service.

The 26-year-old Park has been under fire in South Korea for postponing his mandatory military service after obtaining a 10-year residency visa from Monaco last year.

The news was made public in March, creating commotion in Korea, where all healthy men are conscripted to serve about two years in the military. It also prompted Korea to drop him for this month’s World Cup qualification games. 

“I am sorry to people who have loved me,” Park told a press conference in Seoul. “As a Korean, I will do my sacred military service no matter what.”

Park denied speculation that he obtained the visa to avoid or gain exemption from military service, saying he decided to apply for the visa in order to learn advanced football skills in Europe.

Park did not say when he will be conscripted.

His press conference came weeks before Korea’s Olympic football team head coach Hong Myung-bo announces his squad for the London Games.

Hong, who arranged the Wednesday press conference, hinted that Park could be included on his roster.

“I had a heart-to-heart talk with Park Chu-young after an evaluation match with Syria on June 7,” Hong told reporters, saying he is willing to “work with the footballer through difficulties.” 

(Yonhap News)