Son Heung-min has been photographed carrying a rifle while running drills at a firing range during military training in South Korea.The Tottenham forward is currently at a base in Seogwipo on Jeju island, off the south coast of his home country.An already adept marksman with a football, the 27-year-old has been trying his hand at firing guns while participating in a variety of shooting drills with many of his compatriots.The superstar has been pictured holding the weapon while wearing a camouflage body suit and bulletproof helmet.He has also been exposed to tear gas, as well as completing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear exercises.Additionally, Son has been undergoing ‘discipline education’, which could come in handy if asked to spend the majority of matches chasing opposition full-backs whilst adhering to Jose Mourinho’s high-press system.Meanwhile, Spurs have returned to training in his absence and his teammates and manager alike will look forward to the return of one of their star players who has 16 goals in all competitions so far this season.The sheer brilliance of Son was on show for all to see on December 7, when he collected the ball on his own 18-yard line and dribbled past the entire Burnley team, firing past a helpless Nick Pope in what is a certain goal of the season contender.
Son had earned exemption from military service after he guided his country to gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, but the former Bayer Leverkusen star was still required to serve three weeks after he returned to Seoul in March.Men in South Korea are required to complete 21 months of national service before the age of 28 unless mitigating circumstances dictate otherwise.
Prior to his departure for Korea, Son had been out of action with a fractured right-arm he sustained in February against Aston Vila.
Although the striker completed the game and scored twice, including a dramatic last-gasp winner, he eventually needed surgery, but showed his toughness and grit to perform at all costs for Spurs, even when injured.
The Lily Whites failed to win any of the following six matches in his absence, prior to the suspension of football caused by COVID -19.
Domestic football is set to return in Korea on Friday, with the Asian country having dealt expertly with the coronavirus pandemic.
It has recorded 255 deaths and 10,806 confirmed cases.