A very special day for rising Newcastle United star Seung-soo Park.
On Saturday, the skilful winger picking up a 2026 Asian Games Gold Medal AND Military Exemption.
Missing a large chunk of the early club season, Seung-soo Park has been on international duty with his country,
The Asian Games are a contest between under-23 squads of the competing nations, with three overage players allowed in each squad.
Seung-soo Park only turned 19 in March and so he was one of the very youngest taking part in the competition.
Earlier today South Korea won men’s football gold at the 2026 Asian Games, beating hosts Japan 1-0 in the final.
The winning goal in today’s final was scored by Swansea City’s Eom Ji-sung. The 24-year-old attacking player player at the 2026 World Cup finals this summer as part of the senior South Korea squad, as well as playing in the English second tier for Swansea. He scored in the 61st minute to ensure his nation won their fourth straight title in front of over 30,000 fans at the Toyota Stadium near Nagoya.
Seung-soo Park came in as a late sub in the 90th minute today to help see out the win.
The tournament win also secures military exemptions for the Newcastle United teenager and the other successful South Korea’s players. South Korean males are required to perform at least 18 months of military service but the government rewards Asian Games gold medal winners with an exemption.
At a minimum, this will much reduce the amount of time Seung-soo Park will need to spend doing military service.
Joining NUFC in summer 2025, when he turned 19 in March 2026, Seung-soo Park talked about his Newcastle United progress and his ambitions: “I’m so proud of the team. Every day in training we are working so hard and it’s perfect. I am so happy but I want more and more practice everyday in training. I hope I can quickly play in the first team. Physically, I think when I first came I was here (gestures low), now I am here (gestures slightly higher) but I need to be here (gestures even higher) … I feel better and I am getting better [both physically and mentally].”