June 17, 2026
Rohith Nair, Reuters
South Korea players have boycotted media duties during the World Cup after reporters from the country allegedly mocked captain Son Heung-min's military service, according to media reports.
The reporters were allegedly caught on a hot mic mocking Son's military service stint as the 33-year-old trained separately from the group.
Military service is a contentious issue in South Korea, where all able-bodied men must complete about 21 months of service as part of efforts to maintain a deterrent against North Korea.
