BTS Military Service Special Exemption, Court Says "Unfair and Inequitable" ... 'Enlistment Postponement' Under Review

Previous Military Service Special Cases Are Outdated... Former Lawmaker Leads Military Service Act Amendment
Court Opposes BTS Military Service Exemption... "Will Review Postponement Based on Consensus"

The group BTS concluded "BTS Week," a special five-day segment on the American NBC program "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," on the 2nd (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hanah Na] Amid continuous calls from the political sphere demanding the review of special military service benefits for world star BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan), the Military Manpower Administration (MMA), the responsible agency, drew a line by stating that such benefits "do not align with fairness and equity," while leaving the possibility open for 'enlistment postponement.' This is the first time the MMA has officially expressed its stance on the ‘BTS military service benefits’ issue.

On the 9th, the MMA stated in an official position that, citing the decision made at the National Policy Coordination Meeting in November last year, "the inclusion of artists from the popular culture and arts sector as alternative service personnel was excluded from consideration because it conflicts with the overall policy of reducing alternative service and the government’s basic stance to enhance fairness and equity in fulfilling military duties. That decision remains unchanged."

Last year, the government finalized an ‘Improvement Plan for the Alternative Military Service System’ which maintains the alternative service system for artists and athletes but excludes popular culture artists, considering fairness and equity in military service fulfillment.

However, the MMA left the door open for discussions regarding BTS’s 'enlistment postponement.' The MMA said, "We will review the amendment to the Military Service Act concerning the postponement of conscription and mobilization for outstanding individuals in the popular culture and arts sector together with related ministries based on public consensus."

According to the current Military Service Act, artists who meet certain qualifications can receive special military service benefits, but this is limited to pure artists, excluding popular music professionals such as BTS. As criticism mounted that this special military service for artists is outdated, a ‘Military Service Act amendment’ was proposed.

Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi last month officially proposed an amendment to the Military Service Act at the National Assembly that would allow postponement of conscription and mobilization for outstanding individuals in the popular culture and arts sector, recognized and recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for enhancing national prestige and dignity.

Additionally, Democratic Party Supreme Council member Noh Woong-rae said at the party’s Supreme Council meeting held on the 5th, "The value of spreading the Korean Wave and promoting national prestige is immeasurable," and added, "We must now seriously discuss BTS’s special military service benefits."

Furthermore, Park Yang-woo, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit on the 7th that "there is a need for proactive consideration regarding the postponement and special treatment of military service for popular culture artists," adding, "Discussions must be held not only with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism but also with the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration, taking into account public sentiment."

Minister of National Defense Seo Wook expressed opposition to special military service benefits for BTS but left room for enlistment postponement, saying, "Considering their active periods, I believe it is meaningful to review the possibility of postponement."

Meanwhile, BTS has consistently maintained the position that "they will serve whenever the country calls." Among the members, Jin, who is the oldest and was born in 1992, can postpone enlistment until the end of 2021 under the current Military Service Act.

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