SEOUL, June 15: South Korea on Saturday exempted its World Cup football squad from serving the mandatory 26-month military service after the co-hosts reached the last 16 at the football finals.

“The defense ministry plans to positively consider and actively promote ways of giving the players favors in the form of exempting them from military duty,” a ministry spokesman said in a statement.

The decision was made in line with the public’s wishes to reward the players and also to allow the team to continue practicing without interruption, he said.

South Korea joined fellow World Cup co-hosts Japan in reaching the second round of the tournament on Friday, when a Park Ji-Sung goal eliminated nine-man Portugal 1-0 in their final Group D match.

The ministry’s statement came after President Kim Dae-Jung personally congratulated the team and coach Guus Hiddink on making history — South Korea has never made it to the last 16 before.

Kim bear-hugged Hiddink and shook hands with all the players at Incheon Munhak Stadium after he watched the match there.

“Today is the happiest day in the country’s history... You did a great job,” Kim said.

“At the moment, all of our nation are rejoicing at the victory. My heart-felt thanks go out to all of you,” he said.

At the same time, team captain Hong Myung-Bo raised the issue of military service.

“Mr. President, I hope the issue of military service of my juniors can be resolved so that they can prepare themselves without interruption for the 2006 (World Cup).”

Kim replied that he would tell the defense ministry to look into it.

Currently, athletes who win any Olympic medal or a gold in the Asian Games are eligible for exemption from military service.

The conscription age for South Korean men is 20.

Ten of the team’s football players are expected to benefit from the exemption. They include Park Ji-Sung, Seol Ki-Hyeon, Song Chong-Gug, Lee Chun-Soo and Lee Young-Pyo, Ahn Jung-Hwan and Kim Nam-Il.—AFP