BUSAN, Korea — Kim Kee-hee’s brief appearance at the 2012 London Olympics could be one of the most lucrative five minutes in soccer history. Appearing just before the final whistle in South Korea’s 2-0 win over Japan in the bronze medal playoff ensured that the defender was granted, along with all teammates who played in the Games, exemption from the country’s military service, which is mandatory for able-bodied males.
Had Kim not taken the field for the first time just as the tournament was about to end, he would have had to start a 21-month tour of duty by the time he was 28.