'BTS Military Service Special Exemption' Surfaces Again... Will It Pass the National Assembly This Time?

Sung Il-jong on BTS Military Service Exemption: "No Disagreement Between Ruling and Opposition"
HYBE: "Hope for Swift Conclusion on BTS Military Service Issue in National Assembly"
Some Youth Raise Fairness Concerns
Experts: "No Distinction Should Be Made Between Popular Culture and Fine Arts"

Group BTS. Photo by BigHit Music Twitter screenshot.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Discussions in the political sphere to include Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) in the military service exemption program are gaining momentum. The main idea is to grant military service exemptions to popular culture artists like BTS. However, there is considerable backlash claiming that such a legal amendment would violate fairness, sparking controversy. Some critics argue that politically exploiting BTS is inappropriate.

On the 12th, Seong Iljong, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jongbae's Focus' and said about BTS's military exemption, "There has been an agreement between the two party secretaries to review this quickly," adding, "However, the schedule has not yet been set."

When asked about the possibility of the bill being passed within the April National Assembly session, Seong, who is the secretary of the National Defense Committee, replied, "There are various factors to consider," but added, "The government has expressed a desire to have it processed as soon as possible."

Regarding whether there is an agreement with the Democratic Party, he said, "The Democratic Party is more proactive," and added, "Since this is a matter related to fairness and national interest, it seems unlikely that there will be disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties.".

On the 8th (local time), ARMYs cheered to the opening song "Fire" at the BTS concert held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, USA.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Currently, a bill amending the Military Service Act to allow alternative military service for popular culture artists who contribute significantly to national interests is pending in the National Assembly. Under the current Military Service Act, only pure artists and athletes who have contributed to national prestige and cultural development are recognized as eligible for exemptions. Popular culture artists like BTS are not included.

If this amendment fails this year, Jin, the eldest member of the group, will have to enlist by 2022 when he turns 30. According to the current Military Service Act, enlistment is required by age 28, but BTS received the Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit, a 5th-grade medal, in 2018, allowing a two-year postponement.

Given this situation, BTS's agency HYBE has urged the National Assembly to reach a conclusion promptly. Since the related amendment is pending in the National Assembly, it is difficult to plan future schedules, so they hope the discussion will be concluded quickly.

On the 9th (local time), Lee Jin-hyung, HYBE's Chief Communications Officer (CCO), stated at a press conference held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, USA, "I hope the discussion on the artists' military service will be settled in this National Assembly session."

He added, "Artists have repeatedly expressed their willingness to respond to the country's call in the past and still do so. However, the military service system has changed in recent years, and it is difficult to predict the timing, so it is true that artists are struggling. It is hard for them to make plans."

Photo by BigHit Music

The argument that BTS should not enlist as active-duty soldiers has been consistently raised in political circles. In July 2018, Ha Tae-kyung, then a member of the Bareun Mirae Party (now part of the People Power Party), pointed out, "If you win first place in classical music competitions like violin or piano, you get military service exemptions, but if you top the Billboard charts with popular music, you do not."

During the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's audit in October 2019, Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Min-seok also noted, "Granting military exemptions only to pure arts but not to popular arts seems outdated." In October last year, Noh Woong-rae, then a senior member of the Democratic Party, said, "BTS achieved number one on the Billboard charts and instantly generated a ripple effect worth 1.7 trillion won, and the value of spreading the Korean Wave and enhancing national prestige is immeasurable," adding, "We now need to seriously discuss BTS's military service exemption."

However, these political moves have sparked debates over fairness and equity. On an online community, netizens responded, "If ambiguous criteria are set to exempt BTS from military service, everyone will demand exemptions," "The concept of national prestige itself is vague," and "Discussing BTS's military exemption amid the Russia-Ukraine war and national security concerns is absurd."

BTS's fan club, ARMY, also shows an unfavorable attitude toward the political discussions. Despite BTS members never expressing a desire for military benefits, they become targets of criticism due to these debates. BTS members have consistently maintained their stance to fulfill their military duties whenever questions about military service arise.

Experts have pointed out that popular culture artists and pure artists should not be discriminated against. Jung Deok-hyun, a popular culture critic, said, "There are policy differences regarding military service among fields like popular culture and pure arts. This itself is discriminatory. If benefits are to be given for past contributions, benefits should be provided equally without distinguishing between popular culture and pure arts," adding, "If benefits are not to be given, then neither side should receive them."

He continued, "Currently, not only sports but also popular arts sufficiently contribute to national prestige. If policies need to change, they should," but added, "In BTS's case, rather than exemption, finding alternative service options that allow them to utilize their talents while serving would be more effective."

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