Lee and Yang dropped by Korea after military service remarks

📰 Lee Gyeok-hyeok and Yang Min-hyeok, who caused a stir with military service remarks after the Asian Games gold, are out of Korea's November squad. 📌 Key points 📋 Interim coach Roberto Moreno named 26 players for two friendlies in Doha. 🎤 Lee said "I'm not going to the army" straight after the gold medal. 🙏 Both players apologised on social media the next day. 🗣️ Moreno said every decision was based on performance. 📑 A KFA official said no separate sanction has been confirmed. 📝 What happened 🥇 Korea's Under-23 side beat Japan 1-0 in the Asian Games final on 3 October. In interviews afterwards, Lee said he was not going to the army and Yang spoke in a way that suggested he played for the exemption, drawing criticism that the military benefit looked like the main motive. 🙇 Both posted apologies on social media the next day. Debate over cutting or scrapping the sports exemption has continued in parliament and government. 📣 Asked on 29 October in Cheonan whether the omissions were linked, Moreno said every decision was based on performance. He said he liked many Asian Games players but that others had earned their places. 📊 By the numbers • 26 players called up • Saudi Arabia on 13 November, Qatar on 17 November, both in Doha • Asian Games final 1-0 against Japan on 3 October 🔭 Why it matters With the exemption row live, Korea's selection criteria are under scrutiny. Moreno's contract runs only to November. No return date has been set for either player.