Tour News

Exemption denied: Bae now battling against, not for, South Korea

Published

11 years ago

Jan 8, 2015

As we discussed last week, Frys.com Open winner Sang-Moon Bae was served notice by his home country of South Korea that it’s time for his mandatory military service.

At the time, the 28-year-old stated he would take legal action in an attempt to continue playing on the PGA Tour. Golfweek’s Alex Miceli reports that the legal action in question has come to nothing; the country’s Military Manpower Association informed Bae that his request to extend his visa beyond 2014 (and thus avoid having to come back to serve) was denied.

The country reportedly expects him to return within 30 days to begin his duties.

Bae doesn’t seem interested. Speaking at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions where he’s teeing it up this week, Bae said: “I not go back. I not go back, definitely. I will take legal action. I couldn’t understand why they denied it.”

Discussing his situation further, Bae stated: “I got the green card (to work in the U.S.). If I have a green card, I can extend five or six year more. I don’t know why they didn’t approve (an extension).”

Thus, he seems to have assumed that the issuance of a green card (and permanent resident status in the U.S.) was essentially a “get out of service” card in his home country, as he intended to both live and play his golf outside of the United States.

South Korea, apparently, feels differently.

If he acquiesces and heads back to Korea to serve, Bae, a two-time winner, would retain his status on the PGA Tour for two years.

As you probably remember from history class, North and South Korea are technically still at war since the 1953 armistice that “ended” the Korean War is, of course, a ceasefire not a formal end to the conflict. Thus all able-bodies 18-35-year-old male South Koreans must serve for two years.

Related Topics:

Up Next

The new names on Callaway’s 2015 roster

Don't Miss

Paula Creamer extends contract with TaylorMade-adidas

Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

22 Comments

James

Jan 14, 2015 at 6:00 pm

The only thing he will do for two years is give golf lessons to army generals. It seems obvious to me that this article was written with malicious intent. There is no guarantee that he can come back to PGA tour successfully after two years of his prime and pick up where he left off. Before you question his patriotism, ask yourself what you would do to save your career. I have a feeling that the requested extension is denied unfairly because the Korean government wants to make an example out of a celebrity.

Reply Report comment
don davis

Jan 14, 2015 at 7:10 am

He has progressed in his golf career to become a solid contender every week. He comes off looking like a citizen of his country that is trying to lawyer up and get out of his responsibilties. Two years is two years . The sooner he starts the sooner he will be done. Then back to the gravy train on the US pga tour.

Reply Report comment
P

Jan 10, 2015 at 10:07 pm

““I got the green card (to work in the U.S.). If I have a green card, I can extend five or six year more. I don’t know why they didn’t approve (an extension).”

Errrrrr….. you’re KOREAN? Therefore, you must. Period.

Otherwise, you should have renounced Korean citizenship, married a white girl and became an American.

Reply Report comment
- Jimmy
  
  Jan 12, 2015 at 7:24 am
  
  Lol @ you
  
  Reply Report comment
Dpavs

Jan 10, 2015 at 9:31 am

Seems to me that if he wants to continue to be a South Korean citizen then he has to do what everyone else there has to do… in the alternative he knows exactly what his options are. Perhaps better planning on his part regarding fulfilling this obligation when he was younger might have been prudent.

Reply Report comment
Slat

Jan 10, 2015 at 4:05 am

May be SK is ready for war with NK and need bodies at the DMZ.

Reply Report comment
Garry

Jan 9, 2015 at 5:18 pm

The cowards of this world never cease to amaze me. Bae is no different than 99% of the US cowards who don’t serve their country. No wonder he hiding out in America. In my day it was run to Canada. Now it is run to the USA

Are there any 1% in here who actually has served? I did my trip to NAM 68-69 101st Airborne. I love my Country.. but I would be damned if I would do it again for the cowards I see in here.I see a lot of people in here who would just roll over or let somebody else take a bullet rather than be a man

Reply Report comment
- ClubHo'sUnited
  
  Jan 11, 2015 at 3:33 am
  
  Oh wow, you went to Nam? Woooooow……
  
  Nobody cares, dude. Vietnam is about to laugh in the US’s face pretty soon. Have you seen what it looks like now?
  
  Go fight the Commies somewhere else, you oaf
  
  Reply Report comment
IJP

Jan 9, 2015 at 2:46 pm

Can’t stand people like him. It’s like all the doctors i’ve seen whom the military paid education costs. When its time to serve, they look for every excuse out of it.

Reply Report comment
- Jimmy
  
  Jan 12, 2015 at 7:30 am
  
  Go to serve in an army that is bs anyways? Yea, good call, go do a point less time of being forced to serve a country for a war that is not even actually happening.
  
  Reply Report comment
Ron

Jan 9, 2015 at 2:30 pm

Tough situation! But, it is what it is. Not much different than a young man or lady in a U.S. military academy graduating but having a military obligation to fulfill. Man up and do what you’re required to do then get on with your life.

Reply Report comment
STEVE

Jan 8, 2015 at 5:17 pm

BAD timing in his life 27-37 probably best times for pro.Can see both sides as neighbouring border different to going thousand s of miles and bombing rice farmers like vietnam.

Reply Report comment
- nick
  
  Jan 8, 2015 at 8:59 pm
  
  I feel bad for him. Isn’t the President’s Cup being hosted in Korea this year? What a shame.
  
  Reply Report comment
patricknorm

Jan 8, 2015 at 5:14 pm

He got some very bad/wrong advice. I knew a few guys when I was on a tennis tour that had to do their 2 years in South Africa back in the late 70’s. The army bent over backwards to accommodate these players and their service amounted to basic training then training for their sport.
If he does not comply then South Korea could make his life very miserable regarding his passport/visa requests. My advice would be comply and then try and hammer some sort of compromise with the government. Don’t ignore or offend the government in any way. Make a friend and be a man. They’ll probably let him play and practice under some sort of supervision. The generals just want a few lessons and rounds with a PGA golf pro. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Reply Report comment
- Philip
  
  Jan 8, 2015 at 6:29 pm
  
  I agree, it would be better to talk it over with them than make this a public court battle. Countries tend to like their sport hero’s. He may not be on tour, but there is still a good chance of maintaining his game. An Overall win-win for both parties.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jeffrey
  
  Feb 15, 2015 at 7:40 am
  
  Actually in SK there is a lot of backlash atm with celebrities being pampered during their service. So the GOV is being careful not to let themselves look like they’re showing favoritism. Dude might be screwed. I do agree with you though. Do not offend them or you can pretty much guarantee that his career would fail.
  
  Reply Report comment
yukihiro

Jan 8, 2015 at 1:58 pm

From what I’ve heard, South Korea is pretty famous for this mandatory 2 year service. I can see why they wouldn’t want to make an exemption for Bae. On the flip side though, I can understand why Bae doesn’t want to do it, especially as a pro golfer. Golf is one of those sports where a 2 year hiatus could destroy his career skill wise.

Reply Report comment
- John
  
  Jan 8, 2015 at 2:23 pm
  
  Maybe he can do a SK USO type of thing. Go around doing exhibition s
  
  Reply Report comment
Progolfer

Jan 8, 2015 at 12:49 pm

War, what is it good for?

Reply Report comment
- other paul
  
  Jan 8, 2015 at 1:54 pm
  
  Absolutely nothing!
  Unless you sell weapons.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Progolfer
    
    Jan 8, 2015 at 5:10 pm
    
    Haha exactly!
    
    Reply Report comment
- leftright
  
  Jan 9, 2015 at 1:18 pm
  
  Absolutely nothing, say it again!
  
  Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.