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Bae Sang-Moon returns to South Korea for military service

Bae Sang-Moon faces a spell away from the fairways
Image: Bae Sang-Moon faces a spell away from the fairways

South Korean golfer Bae Sang-Moon has been forced to return home to complete his military service after losing a legal battle to defer his conscription.

The 29-year-old, granted US residency in 2013, was charged in February with violating South Korea's military service regulations after failing to secure an extension to his overseas travel permit.

Bae was allowed to remain in the United States while his lawsuit against that decision was pending but it was reported on Wednesday in South Korea that a court in his home city of Daegu backed the Military Manpower Administration (MMA).

Bae, who was contesting the MMA's assertion that he had not spent enough time out of South Korea in 2014 to qualify as an overseas resident, said he would join the army soon.

"I completely respect the court's decision, and I humbly accept the judgment by the law," he told the South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Bae Sang-Moon of South Korea lines a putt on the 2nd hole during Round 4 of the 79th Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club
Image: Bae Sang-Moon in action at this year's Masters at Augusta

"I am sorry to those who have supported me, including all my fans and South Koreans, for causing anxiety."

With the country still technically at war with the North after the 1950-53 Korean War, all South Korean men between 18 and 35 must complete two years of military service.

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The court had ruled that his refusal to sign up with the military ran "counter to the principle of fairness" in regard to other conscripts.

Most in the South agree conscription is necessary to deter North Korean aggression and the public backlash towards high-profile figures such as actors, musicians and sportsmen who seek to skip military service can be fierce.

Bae won his second PGA title at the Frys.com Open in Napa, California, last October and has secured exemption for 2016 after winning over £1.3m this season.

Bae, who will earn around £83 a month as a private in the army, took home £9,732 from his last outing on the PGA Tour after finishing tied for 54th at the Greenbrier Classic earlier this month.

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