The reason Tom Kim may have been crying after losing in Olympic golf

Tom Kim narrowly missed out on an Olympic golf medal on Sunday, an emotional experience for reasons many might not fully understand. The 22-year-old South Korean golfer shot a 68 in his final round at Le Golf National in Paris, finishing eighth in the tournament at 13-under par. A podium finish would have exempted him from mandatory military service in South Korea.
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As Kim signed his scorecard after the round, he appeared to be crying, a moment that quickly went viral. Many speculated that Kim’s tears were due to missing the opportunity to avoid conscription.

Gold medalist Scottie Scheffler was seen consoling the emotional Kim, putting an arm around him. Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men must serve 18-21 months of military service, with few exceptions. Athletes and artists who achieve international recognition and bring prestige to the country can be granted exemptions, such as winning an Olympic medal.

South Korean men are required to complete their military service by age 35. While Kim largely avoided discussing the issue during the Olympics, he did acknowledge the possibility of serving when questioned by golf reporter Alan Shipnuck. “A hundred percent. Like, I’m not trying to lie or anything like that,” Kim said. “I really don’t know. I’ve been over in the U.S. for so long, I just keep on going.”

Other South Korean golfers, Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim, earned their military exemptions by winning gold at the Asian Games in China last year. Previously, only amateur athletes could compete in the Asian Games, but professionals participated in 2023. It remains unclear if professionals will continue to be allowed in future games, adding uncertainty to Kim’s situation.

Kim has had a strong season and gained considerable popularity, especially after maintaining his composure while competing against Scheffler amid protest disruptions earlier this year. Although Kim missed this chance for a military exemption, he will likely have more opportunities, and fans will be closely following his journey.