Tom Kim’s Asian Games golf gold did more than add a medal. It earned him an exemption from South Korea’s compulsory military service. Here is how the system works. Every able-bodied South Korean man must serve 18 to 21 months in the military, usually before age 28. Athletes can escape full service in two ways. They must win gold at the Asian Games or win any medal at the Olympics. The exemption means they complete only about four weeks of basic training instead. Tom Kim, 24, missed a medal at the Paris Olympics. His gold at Kasugai Country Club on Saturday changed everything. He shot a final round 64 to win by three strokes. The rule also applies to team golds. Kim’s teammate gold from the team event would have counted too. Football star Son Heung-min used the same route in 2018. He won Asian Games gold with the under-23 football team. Kim will now join a long list of Korean sports stars who traded gold for freedom.