Son reports to marines boot camp in Korea to begin 3 weeks of military service

Tottenham star Son Heung-min has reported to a marines boot camp to begin three weeks of military service in his home country of South Korea.

Wearing a green hoodie, black baseball cap and protective face mask, Son was greeted by soldiers in camouflage uniform at the camp on the southern island of Jeju on Monday.

With the Premier League at a standstill because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 27-year-old opted to return home and undertake the compulsory military training.

All able-bodied men from South Korea are required to serve for two years but Son received an exemption after helping his country win the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

But with no football taking place, Son will go through a shortened version of a boot camp that is required for all new regular enlistees.

He was photographed reporting for duty despite Son's management team saying his time with the South Korea military service will be kept secret.

And the footballer, who earns £140,000-a-week, will be exposed to tear gas, go on 18-mile marches and take part in live-fire drills during his time there.

There will also be, according to one official, a group march of up to 18 miles.

'Once you're in the military, you should be able to fire a rifle, breath in the gas and participate in a battle, rolling and crawling around the field,' the official told Reuters.

'During the march, our regular Marine Corps recruits would bring 40 kg of equipment but it could be much lighter for alternative trainees depending on the programme.'

Son has plenty of time to complete his training with the UK coronavirus lockdown expected to last another three weeks at least.

Following a meeting last Friday, the Premier League is working towards a return to training in the middle of next month followed by a best-case scenario resumption of the season in the second week of June.