Tottenham have confirmed Heung-Min Son will complete his mandatory four-week military service back in his home country of South Korea this month.
The 27-year-old was given exemption from the extended 21-month military service after he won the gold medal with South Korea in the 2018 Asian Games.
However, he still needs to complete a four-week service and with the Premier League suspended for the foreseeable future due to coronavirus, it has been agreed now is the best time to undertake it.
The Spurs forward has been in South Korea since the end of March, recovering from a fractured arm he suffered during Tottenham’s 3-2 win against Aston Villa in February.
The top flight has been halted since March 9 and league chiefs have agreed with English Football League (EFL) counterparts and player representatives that a resumption will take place only when “safe and appropriate to do so”.
Son, who is currently in quarantine in relation to government guidelines around coronavirus, will return to London following the conclusion of his military service in May.
In a statement, Spurs said:
“The club can confirm that Heung-Min Son will commence his mandatory military service in South Korea this month.
“The forward arrived back in his home country at the end of March where he is currently in quarantine.
“Our medical staff are in regular contact as he concludes his recovery after fracturing his arm in our 3-2 win against Aston Villa on 16 February and continues to train.
“Sonny had surgery on his arm in South Korea before returning to the UK at the end of February to continue his rehabilitation, prior to the initial announcement of the professional game in England being suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Premier League has since announced that the 2019/20 season will only return when it is ‘safe and appropriate to do so’ and is under constant review.
“Son will return to London following the conclusion of his military service in May.”
Under South Korean law, before the age of 28 you must complete 21 months of national service, unless you earn an exemption
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