BTS members’ deductions for military service are “difficult”! Two Years of Military Service Inevitable? ‘Fairness regarding the performance of compulsory military service will be lost’

Last Updated on 09/26/2022 by てんしょく飯

It seems that BTS members’ military service obligation is unavoidable.

BTS is a K-pop idol group that is now well-known around the world. However, South Korea requires all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 to serve in the military for two years, and like other idol groups in the past, BTS members were expected to leave the public eye at some point.

Military service obligations for BTS members seem inevitable.

However, in recognition of BTS’ remarkable achievements and their contribution to the country, including the dramatic increase in K-pop’s global recognition, South Korea passed an amendment to its military service law (dubbed the “BTS Act” by some) in 2018, allowing K-pop stars to defer military service until they turn 30 years old. This allows them to apply for a deferral of military service on the condition that they are awarded a medal by the South Korean government for increasing their cultural influence, and all seven members of BTS were awarded the Order of the Flower Crown for Cultural Merit.

In this situation, Jin (29), the oldest member, will turn 30 in December.

In response, on Monday, September 19, the Democratic Party of Korea, the country’s largest opposition party, proposed an amended bill that would require the internationally active pop star to transfer his military service obligation to alternative duties.

However, South Korea’s Defense Minister backtracked on the proposal, telling the National Assembly on Tuesday (September 20) that it would be “difficult” to apply the bill to the BTS due to concerns that “fairness regarding the execution of compulsory military service would be lost. Meanwhile, a South Korean poll showed that a majority (60.9%) of respondents “agree” when asked if pop culture artists who have enhanced the nation’s reputation should be allowed to serve as substitutes for military service.

The Daily also reported that earlier this week, the Secretary of the Military Services Agency stated that he would take immediate action on the military service exemption framework, saying that “adding pop culture artists could attract discrimination, prejudice, and feelings of discouragement among the younger generation of men who are fulfilling their military service obligations.

The members of BTS have stated that they intend to serve in the military.