This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
On May 8, 2020, Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min finished his three-week compulsory military training in South Korea, earning recognition as one of the top five recruits in his unit.
As part of his training, Son Heung-min underwent rigorous boot camp exercises, including lengthy hikes, tear-gas training, and rifle practice, at a marines camp on the island of Jeju.
According to the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Son Heung-min was judged among the five best recruits out of 157 on his course, excelling in all areas of training, including military ethics and security education.
"Son did exceptionally well in all areas of training, including military ethics and security education," a spokesperson for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps told AFP.
As a result of his team's gold medal win at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, Son Heung-min was granted an exemption from the usual two-year military service, allowing him to complete his obligations with just three weeks' basic training and around 500 hours of community service.
His completion of military training comes as the Premier League remains suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, with no date yet set for a resumption.
