group BTS. Provided by Big Hit MusicThe Ministry of National Defense reaffirmed its existing position that “it is difficult to expand the alternative service system” in relation to the issue of special military service for the group BTS.
At the 4th plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 20th, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop made this statement in response to a question regarding the government in the fields of diplomacy, unification, and security.
On that day, Min Hong-cheol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked, “The issue of BTS’ military service is now being decided through a public opinion poll. Can you decide whether to go to the military or not through a poll?”
In response, Minister Lee Jong-seop replied, “No. Once once more, the Ministry of National Defense’s position has not changed in relation to the issue of BTS’ military service.
In the meantime, the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration have taken a negative stance on the issue of special military service for BTS. However, following Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon suggested to the president a special military service exemption for BTS, who was appointed as a publicity ambassador to host the 2030 Busan World Expo, he said, ‘I will listen to public opinion’.
At the National Assembly Defense Committee plenary meeting on the 31st of last month, Minister Lee said, “We will make a decision on the BTS (military service) issue carefully, synthesizing the opinions of several lawmakers and considering the national interest from various dimensions, but we will make a decision as soon as possible.” ‘ was mentioned.
However, the Ministry of National Defense soon came forward, emphasizing, “The Ministry of Defense will not conduct a public opinion poll on the ‘BTS military service issue’.”
According to the special military service system for arts and sports personnel, which was first implemented in 1973 and has continued, a person with special skills in the field of arts and sports prescribed by Presidential Decree and recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism can be transferred as an arts and sports personnel. . In the case of pop culture artists, such special military service exemption does not apply, so whether it should be applied to BTS, which has raised its status as K-pop, has emerged as a hot potato. At the initiative of some lawmakers, a bill to amend the ‘BTS Act on Special Cases for Military Service’ came out, but it is pending in the National Assembly.
In an interview with Yonhap News on the 19th, Director of Military Manpower Administration Lee Ki-sik maintained a negative reaction to BTS’ special military service exception, saying, “Currently, we are reducing the supplementary service, which is a special military service exception, but it is not right to expand it by adding other items.” Commissioner Lee said, “If popular arts are also included in the supplementary service system, discrimination, separation, and frustration may increase for young people in active duty service.” mentioned
Meanwhile, while public opinion polls on BTS’ military service exceptions continue to add to the fatigue, the survey results show slightly different patterns depending on age, gender, and questions.
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