BTS, Military Enlistment Postponement Possible Until Age 30

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) will be allowed to postpone their military enlistment until the age of 30. This is because the so-called Hallyu idol star military service special law passed the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly on the 20th.

On that day, the National Defense Committee resolved an amendment to the Military Service Act that allows individuals recognized as outstanding in the field of popular culture and arts, who have greatly contributed to enhancing the nation's status and dignity, to postpone their military conscription and call-up.

Earlier, on September 9, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi proposed this bill, stating that if entertainers like BTS are not allowed to defer military service, it would be "unfair not only in terms of opportunity deprivation but also from the perspective of enhancing the national image."

Meanwhile, during the same meeting, the National Defense Committee approved the extension of dispatch agreements for the Somalia Aden Bay area and support for military education and training in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), extending the deployment period of the Cheonghae Unit and the Ark Unit by one more year. Approximately 300 soldiers are deployed in Somalia's Aden Bay, and 150 soldiers are stationed in the UAE. The government has been extending their deployment period by one year annually with the consent of the National Assembly.

The amendment to the Military Personnel Act, which would extend the retirement age for the rank of major from 45 to 50, was postponed in the bill subcommittee and was not processed during this meeting.

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