Shin-Soo Choo Could Miss 1 Or 2 Seasons To South Korean Military Service Obligation

[Philly-brownsfan]

I understand that South Korea Has a Military Service Obligation of 18 or 24 Months For All Healthy Males In Their 20s. This could cause an interruption in the career of Indians' Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. He is enjoying a very fine season and the timing of a forced term of military service could be very detrimental to his career's progress.
From what I understand, the career military obligation has been waived for Olympian Medal Winners and Choo's obligation would have been waived if South Korea had won the Gold as champions of last March's World Baseball Classic.
If his military obligation is not waived, in order to avoid service and having his career interrupted, Choo's only option would be to live in the United States and be permanently banned from returning to South Korea. ( A very hard choice, indeed!)

I'd welcome additional information on this subject or comments.

*Philly-brownsfan*

[gman5431]

I understand that South Korea Has a Military Service Obligation of 18 or 24 Months For All Healthy Males In Their 20s. This could cause an interruption in the career of Indians' Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. He is enjoying a very fine season and the timing of a forced term of military service could be very detrimental to his career's progress.
From what I understand, the career military obligation has ben waived for Olympian Medal Winners and Choo's obligation would have been waived if South Korea had won the Gold as champions of last March's World Baseball Classic.
If his military obligation is not waived, in order to avoid service and having his career interrupted, Choo's only option would be to live in the United States and be permanently banned from returning to South Korea. ( A very hard choice, indeed!)

I'd welcome additional information on this subject or comments.

*Philly-brownsfan*


Thanks for the post. I hadnt heard this but its troubling. Hopefully it will be waived and he will be allowed to continue to represent his country in MLB.

G Man

[Philly-brownsfan]

Thanks for the post. I hadnt heard this but its troubling. Hopefully it will be waived and he will be allowed to continue to represent his country in MLB.

G Man

If Choo's military service obligation is delayed for a year then
perhaps they could waive the military service obligation if he made the All-Star team in 2010. That's not far-fetched as Choo has shown that he's a .300 hitter with some power and a good run-producer.
That would be an honor only a few Koreans have attained:
Pitchers, Byung Yung Kim (one all-star season) and
Chan Ho Park (one or two all-star seasons) come to mind.
Offhand, I can't think of any Korean position players who have earned the honor, so if Choo became an all-star next year, it would be rarer than an Olympic Gold Medal. Then maybe the military will give him that waiver.

[The Korean]

I expect Korean government to waive military service for Korean MLB players. Theres only like, one. No biggie.

[SirBLaUghs]

Shin shoo choo will get the military pardon no doubt.
Chan ho Park got his way back when. So Indian fans dont trip. He's a good player, he did sick in the WBC and is pretty good overall in the AL.

Why cant the Mets find qualty Asian players?! :banghead: :shrug:

[Philly-brownsfan]

Why cant the Mets find qualty Asian players?! :banghead: :shrug:

Or the Phillies for that matter.
(Shane "The Flyin' Hawaiian" Victorino was born in Hawaii, but He's from a Portuguese family and he is 0% Asian, in case you were wondering.)

[Richard]

No way. He is the best Korean position player in MLB ever.