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“Castrop Must Undergo Military Service” Whines German Paper Again, Suffers Bellyaches from Footballer Being Taken by Korea?

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"Castrop Must Undergo Military Service" Whines German Paper Again, Suffers Bellyaches from Footballer Being Taken by Korea?

A German media outlet quibbled about the military service issues of ‘Korean mixed blood national team player’ Jens Castrop(22, Borussia Mönchengladbach).

German paper Bild’s Dirk Krümpelmann reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that “Mönchengladbach’s star player Castrop suddenly faces military service problems”, and that “Castrop, who has played four games for the German under-23 national team, now faces military service trouble after changing his association to the Korean Football Association(KFA) last month and playing for the South Korea national team.”

“Unlike Germany, South Korea runs a strict military conscription policy. All men of healthy stature must serve in the military for 18 to 21 months,” Krümpelmann continued. He claimed, “There are almost no exceptions for sports stars or celebrities. Even Son Heung-min was only barely exempted from conscription by winning the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.”

However, Bild’s article is factually incorrect. To begin with, the reporter did not have a firm understanding of Korea’s military regulations. While Krümpelmann took Son Heung-min as an example, Son himself was born to Korean parents within Korea. On the other hand, Castrop, who was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, to a Korean mother, Mrs. An Suyeon, and a German father, is a different story. According to the Military Service Act, Castrop may be conscripted for military service if he resides for six months or more, or participates in economic activities in Korea for more than 60 days in a year. This means there are no barriers for Castrop to play for Mönchengladbach. Castrop, while understanding the heavy military duties, decided to play for the ‘motherland’ and made his birth registration in Korea last February, and was issued a Korean passport in May.

Bild reported that Castrop said that he is “continuing to discuss with management. [I] feel happy more than anything that I am now a part of this national team, and will resolve the remaining matters step by step.” Castrop has already stated in an interview with Joongang Ilbo last month, “The Korean national team is not just a matter of passports-it is where I can truly feel a sense of belonging. Although I understand the military issues, what’s important is my willpower to give my all in playing for the Korean national team. I am continuing to discuss matters with the KFA and the management team.”

After Castrop’s change of associations, it was rumored that the German Football Association (Deutscher Fußball-Bund/DFB) had tried to dissuade Castrop’s heart by including him on the German A-team’s scouting long-list. But Castrop eventually chose the Taeguk symbol and had a successful debut for the Korean national team this month in the friendly matches away in the United States. Against the USA, he was subbed on and showed an omnipresent performance, and later was also included in the starting lineups against Mexico.

Could it be that Bild is suffering from an aching stomach? Krümpelmann also reported on the 10th, “Castrop may lose his spot in Mönchengladbach instead of fulfilling his World Cup dreams. He lost his chance to show his potential to head coach Gerardo Seoane in the A-match window,” and “it is expected that [Castrop’s] return to the training session will be delayed due to the jet lag he suffers from the away games. More than that, he must make lengthy trips to Asia and back if he plays in the October and November A-matches.”

However, contrary to Bild’s predictions, Seoane was sacked from his position on the 16th due to dissatisfactory standings. Now Eugen Polanski, who had been serving as head coach for Mönchengladbach’s under-23 team, temporarily fills the absence. Bild was also wrong on Castrop’s exemption from the starting 11. Castrop started in the Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen on the 22nd and played for 72 minutes. He also hit the back of the net after receiving a pass from the back to make a shot in the 23rd minute, but had the goal unfortunately called off after VAR(video assistant refereeing) found that his shoulder had been a slight bit behind the line. (OP’s note: so he was called offside, presumably)

Bild is well known for writing provocative articles, similar to the British tabloid The Sun. Bild endlessly berated Bayern Munich’s defender Kim Min-jae last season, who had been playing with an injury in his heel tendon. When Oh Hyun-gyu(KRC Genk)’s transfer negotiations broke down after Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart tried to lower the transfer fee, citing his previous injury on what was, and still is, a completely healthy knee, German media outlets chose to take Stuttgart’s side only.

Son Heung-min, who faced unimaginable levels of racism during his teen years when he played for Hamburg SV, once caused a large upset in Europe when he picked South Korea’s match against Germany in the 2018 World Cup in Russia as the match of his life, stating: “I had a lot of thoughts in my mind I should get my revenge on day. I saw the Germans crying, but I made my payback by celebrating [the win].” Son’s day of reckoning saw the player facing the German national team, then the leaders of the FIFA rankings, and running 50 meters to score the goal that would put the opponents in the coffin.

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