Spurs Star Son Could be Swapping Shooting Goals For Shooting Rifles

Tottenham star Heung-Min Son is the form of his life at the moment having scored an impressive five goals in his five outings.

At 24, his best years are probably still ahead of him but Son could be hit by a huge stumbling block in the future.

But according to The Daily Mail, the South Korean is pencilled in for over two years worth of military service before the age of 28. One might ask how a free-scoring, multi-million pound footballer could possibly get called for army service but plenty of big personalities in South Korea have been forced to fight for the country - imprisonment being the punishment for those who do not oblige.

Another Premier League player, Swansea midfielder Ki Sung-yeung had to serve four weeks military service at the back end of last season.

But like many cases in history, South Korea took notice of sporting achievements and his time was shorter than it was supposed to be because he was part of the national side that claimed Bronze in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Park Ji-Sung, easily the most famous footballer to come from South Korea, was let off the hook along with former Spurs defender Lee Young-pyo due to their third place finish in the 2002 World Cup.

Son must reach a similar level of accomplishment to be exempt from military duty - the Asian Games in 2018 and 2020 Tokyo Olympics are the possibilities he has in the future.

Or he could follow in the footsteps of Park Chu-Young, the former Arsenal striker who's lengthy spell in Monaco meant his impending military service was delayed and he then won Bronze at London 2012 to earn immunity.

The final alternative involves a change in leadership in Son's native South Korea, with Politician Nam Kyung-pil vowing to make military duty voluntary should he be elected as president.

No doubt Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs fans will be hoping Son qualifies for at least one of the three options above and will be exempt from the conscription programme.

(H/T The Mail)

Topics: Spurs, South Korea, Premier League, tottenham

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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