The Guardian Focuses on Divided Korean Society Over BTS Military Service Exemption

Public Opinion Divided Over BTS Military Service Exemption
"Sensitive Issue of Celebrity Military Evasion in Armistice-Era Korea"

Group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan). Photo by BTS Official Twitter Capture. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Amid ongoing discussions about amending the Military Service Act concerning BTS's military service special exemption, foreign media have closely examined the controversy. While acknowledging BTS's contributions in generating tens of billions of dollars in economic value and establishing South Korea as a cultural superpower, opinions on the military service exemption remain sharply divided.

The British daily The Guardian reported on the 23rd (local time) in an article titled "South Korea Divided Over BTS Military Service Controversy," stating, "South Koreans are split over whether to send BTS's members, who are in their 20s, to serve two years in the military or to recognize their remarkable contributions and grant them exemptions."

The Guardian introduced examples of individuals who received alternative military service benefits, such as national soccer player Son Heung-min and pianist Cho Seong-jin. It reported that Son Heung-min won a gold medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, and Cho Seong-jin was recognized for alternative service eligibility after winning the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, in 2009.

The article also pointed out that, given the armistice with North Korea, military service issues for celebrities are a sensitive topic in South Korea. Celebrities who evade military service face harsh public criticism. The Guardian mentioned the case of singer Yoo Seung-jun (46, American name Steve Seung-jun Yoo), who acquired U.S. citizenship just months before his enlistment and was subsequently deported.

It also presented both sides of the debate on this controversy. According to The Guardian, "Polls show that most South Koreans support alternative mandatory military service options for BTS, while some express concerns that without clear guidelines, changes in the law could be exploited by celebrities who do not meet the qualifications."

Meanwhile, Defense Minister nominee Lee Jong-seop stated that "careful consideration is necessary" regarding including popular culture artists with high contributions to national interests, such as BTS, in the military service special exemption category. In written materials sent on the 20th to Min Hong-chul, chairman of the National Defense Committee and a member of the Democratic Party, he said about the proposed amendment to the Military Service Act, "Considering fairness in fulfilling military obligations and the reduction of military resources, careful review is required," adding, "Especially at a time when military service exemptions are being reduced, expanding the scope of exemptions requires cautious examination."

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