East Asia Korea

COLUMN: Four roads diverged for Son Heung-min facing the mandatory military service

Scheme for permanent residents of foreign countries on MMA’s website

2. If he is a permanent resident of Germany

Permanent residents of another country can postpone the military service until they become 37 years old.

To become a permanent resident of the United Kingdom, where he is, however, one has to have resided in the country for five years; Son joined Spurs in 2015 and as such he does not meet the minimum criteria. Only two years are required for those who marry UK citizens but to be able to postpone the national service in Korea, he shall have been a permanent resident of another country for three years, which means it is too late for him.

We are unsure whether Son has already become a permanent resident of Germany; he had lived in Germany from 2008 to 2015 so he was eligible to apply. If he had done so during his times in Bundesliga, he would be able to play football overseas for another 12 years.

There are several issues, though. permanent residency isn’t easy to attain and maintain especially in Europe, and even more difficult when one does not reside in the country anymore.