The government has decided to exempt national team baseball players from mandatory military service as the team advances to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic championship.

The baseballers will perform civil service as an alternative, the same privilege given to football players who advance to the second round of the World Cup tournament.

In the Monday Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, the government provided for the exemptions in a revision to the military service law.

Under the revision, students in doctoral programs, medical colleges and medical graduate schools will also be allowed to delay enlistment until age 28.

The plan allows those found unfit for military duty due to medical reasons, but who still wish to complete military service, to apply for a second medical exam for enlistment even before finishing medical treatment.