South Korea's World Cup Squad Enforces Media Blackout Over Son Heung-min Mockery

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South Korea's World Cup squad has initiated a media blackout following a controversy involving their captain, Son Heung-min. The incident arose when journalists mocked Son's military service exemption, a sensitive topic for the South Korean public and the player, who currently plays for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer. Son, a seasoned international with 145 caps, was granted an exemption after leading his team to a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, completing only three weeks of basic military training in return. The controversy erupted when a South Korean broadcaster inadvertently aired a private conversation between two journalists making disparaging remarks about Son's exemption during a team training session. This broadcast led to public outrage, with Son opting not to engage with the media after South Korea's 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara on June 12. Reacting to the incident, the Korean Football Association released a statement condemning the comments and highlighting the "shock and disappointment" felt by the team. The statement emphasized the importance of respect and protection for players, urging media outlets to demonstrate responsibility in their coverage. The association called for unity within the football community to support the national team as they compete on the World Cup stage, promising to safeguard the players and foster a positive media environment.

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