"BTS Jin, Enlisting Next Year? What Do You Think About BTS Military Service Exemptions?"

BTS Unusually Returns to No.1 on Billboard Hot 100
No Woong-rae: "BTS's National Honor Value Is Immeasurable... Military Service Exemption Should Be Discussed"
Member Jin Can Postpone Enlistment Until End of Next Year
Big Hit Cites Members' Military Enlistment as Stock Investment Risk Factor

The group BTS appeared on NPR's famous music program "Tiny Desk Concert." Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] As the issue of whether the globally popular idol group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) should receive military service exemptions becomes a hot topic in political circles, opinions are emerging that the scope of military service exemptions, which had been limited only to athletes as part of sports promotion policies, should be reconsidered.

No Woong-rae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, mentioned at the Supreme Council meeting on the 5th that BTS has topped the Billboard charts and gained global influence, emphasizing that the alternative military service system for industrial technicians, specialized researchers, and arts and sports personnel should be expanded to include popular culture artists who have promoted national prestige.

Rep. No said, "BTS recorded a No. 1 spot on the Billboard chart, generating an economic ripple effect of 700 billion won. The value of spreading the Korean Wave and promoting national prestige cannot be estimated," adding, "We need to seriously discuss military service exemptions for BTS."

He continued, "The sacred duty of national defense is Korea's mission, but not everyone must fulfill it. BTS, who have promoted national prestige, should be the subjects," and emphasized the need to readjust the scope of military service exemptions by saying, "There is a way to utilize their value by having them participate in overseas Dokdo promotion for a certain period. It is time to discuss how these proud young people can contribute to national interests."

Earlier, Rep. Jeon Yong-gi of the same party also introduced a bill last month to amend the Military Service Act to allow outstanding figures in the field of popular culture and arts, recognized by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for significantly contributing to enhancing the nation's status and dignity, to defer military service on par with university students.

According to the current Military Service Act, only university and graduate students, trainees at training institutions, and outstanding athletes are permitted to defer enlistment. However, there have been ongoing opinions that the system should be improved considering the growing status and ripple effects of popular culture.

Group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan). Photo by Yonhap News

All seven BTS members, including RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, are known to be subject to active duty enlistment. The members were born between 1992 and 1997.

The oldest member in the group, Jin (real name Kim Seok-jin), born in 1992, is approaching his enlistment time. According to the current Military Service Act, Jin can defer enlistment until the end of 2021.

Until now, BTS members have stated their intention to fulfill their military duties. However, as BTS's new song "Dynamite" recently reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the US Billboard main singles chart "Hot 100," there have been claims that they should receive benefits related to military service in recognition of their contribution to national prestige both domestically and internationally.

Additionally, Big Hit Entertainment, their agency, reportedly began accepting subscription applications for public offering shares from general investors on the 5th and 6th, citing the members' enlistment as an investment risk factor. This has increased attention on whether the scope of military service exemptions being discussed in political circles will be expanded.

Meanwhile, numerous petitions have been posted on the Blue House's public petition board recently, requesting that BTS be included in the military service exemption category. One petitioner said, "BTS reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart. This is the first in Korea and a rare achievement in Asia. Their influence is tremendous worldwide, and they contribute to economic effects and national prestige," adding, "If popular culture achieves significant global success, the perspective should naturally shift to granting military exemptions."

However, some express concerns that since military service exemption is a sensitive issue, premature amendments could provoke backlash. The People Power Party sympathizes with military service benefits for popular culture artists but insists that establishing criteria for selecting those who promote national prestige should come first. Unlike in sports, where national prestige is promoted through a recommendation system, the cultural and arts fields might be vulnerable to abuse.

Rep. Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party pointed out regarding the amendment of the Military Service Act, "The issue of military service deferment benefits is a sensitive matter where national interests and military service fairness conflict, so criteria should be established first in a bipartisan parliamentary consultative body that can gather public consensus and conduct in-depth discussions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.