BTS Military Service Special Case, "Postponing Enlistment is OK, Exemption is Still Premature"

Jeon Yong-gi Proposes Amendment to Military Service Act Allowing Postponement of Enlistment
Careful Approach Needed to Preserve Achievements Built by BTS

The group BTS is posing during their appearance on NPR's famous music program 'Tiny Desk Concert.' Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] As political circles raise claims for military service exceptions for the globally popular group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan), there are also views that the criteria need to be clarified and supplemented.

In addition, there are existing cultural and artistic figures who have achieved results similar to BTS, so some opinions say that 'BTS military service exception' is premature, and it seems that several legislative supplements will be necessary before the BTS military service exception becomes a reality.

On the 6th, Jeon Yong-gi, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "Just as national representatives or those undergoing training at training centers can postpone their military service, I have proposed an amendment to the Military Service Act to include those recognized as outstanding popular culture and arts figures as eligible for postponement."

Jeon said, "Now, benefits should also be given to popular culture and arts figures such as singers and actors," adding, "It is difficult to respond with the Military Service Act that has been in place for 47 years, so I felt the need to amend the Military Service Act and brought up this discussion."

He further mentioned that more discussion is needed regarding exemption or alternative service rather than postponement. The reason is, "Although BTS is undoubtedly promoting national prestige globally, unlike international competitions in sports, there is ambiguity due to the lack of clear criteria," and "Of course, there are certain standards such as setting new records that did not exist domestically, but since a national consensus has not yet been formed, it is necessary to clearly establish the criteria for promoting national prestige before further discussion."

Regarding claims that popular culture and arts figures might be receiving military service benefits while profiting economically, Jeon rebutted, saying, "I want to clarify that the amendment is not a special case or privilege," and added, "Postponement of military service is actually a small consideration and right that the state can offer to men in their 20s, so I want to emphasize that it is by no means a privilege like exemption or alternative service."

Shin Jong-woo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, who appeared on the broadcast that day, said, "BTS's achievements are very remarkable and a source of pride, but BTS is not the only cultural and artistic figure promoting national prestige, and there are entertainers who have led the Korean Wave even if they are not at BTS's level of popularity," adding, "Personally, I agree with postponing the military service schedule, but it is still too early to discuss military service exceptions."

Shin also said, "Currently, there is a significant shortage of military manpower, and alternative service personnel are being reduced, so reducing personnel just because they are active on famous Billboard charts does not seem to fit the current atmosphere."

He continued, "BTS has never said they want military service exceptions, and the idea of having them participate in national promotion instead of fulfilling military duties is also inappropriate," adding, "'Since you are not going to the military, you should do this' could rather cause unnecessary controversy." He also said, "By continuing discussions on military service exceptions that BTS does not want, we might cause misunderstandings," and "To ensure that BTS's achievements do not lose their shine, we need a more cautious approach when discussing these issues."

He further pointed out, "There is a need to study and institutionalize these popular arts military service issues more concretely," but "Currently, discussions are not just about postponement but also about alternative service or exemption, so these issues are likely to cause considerable controversy."

Meanwhile, Jeon proposed a bill on the 3rd of last month to allow popular culture and arts figures to postpone military service. The amendment mainly allows those recognized and recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism as outstanding figures in the popular culture and arts field who have greatly contributed to enhancing South Korea's domestic and international national status and dignity to postpone conscription and enlistment at the same level as university students.

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