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Bae, who has won twice on the PGA Tour, had his overseas
travel permit extension request rejected by the Military
Manpower Administration, the Yonhap news agency reported on
Monday, quoting his mother.
The world number 84, who has qualified to compete in the U.S.
Masters in April, must return to Korea at the end of January or
he could risk criminal charges as his current permit expires in
the coming days, his mother added.
All South Korean men between 18 and 35 must complete two years
of military service, with the country still technically at war
with North Korea after a peace treaty went unsigned following
the 1950-53 Korean War.
Sporting success has, though, enabled some athletes to dodge
military service with the Korean government waiving the
mandatory practice for any athlete who wins Asian Games gold or
an Olympic medal.
Bae, who won the Frys.Com Open in October, is the highest ranked
South Korean golfer and would be expected to compete at the Rio
Games in 2016 when the sport makes its return to the Olympics.
Bae, who has also won tournaments on the Asian, Japan and
OneAsia Tours, made his PGA Tour debut in 2012 and was granted
U.S. residency two years ago.
(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by Amlan
Chakraborty)
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