BTS reignites debate over military service in South Korea

Military service is highly controversial in South Korea, where all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 serve about two years to defend the country from a hostile North Korea.

Over the years, exemptions have been granted to certain categories of men – either allowed to serve a period of time or for a shorter period of time – including men who have won medals at the Olympics or Asian Games and top prize-winning classical musicians and dancers in some games.

World-renowned K-pop stars are allowed to defer their services until they turn 30 under a 2019 law revision.

Parliament is now debating a new amendment that would allow K-pop stars to undergo three-week military training.

For BTS, especially the band’s eldest member, known to fans as Jin, the outcome of the parliamentary deliberations will be important.

While the band’s management company has long demonstrated to the seven members of BTS that they are keen to perform their duties, over time the reality of two years of full-time military service has come into focus.

Jin, 29, has postponed his service as long as possible and faces the prospect of being full when he turns 30 — meaning staying out of the public eye in two years.

For Kim and his bandmates, the stress of waiting for a decision from parliament was a major reason for their suspension of performances, said Yoon Sang-hyun, the lawmaker who proposed the amendment, which included three weeks of training for K-. star.

“The members cited exhaustion and the need for rest as the main reason, but the real reason was Kim’s military service,” Yoon told Reuters.

When considering military service, Yoon said, the extent to which BTS has raised South Korea’s global profile through “soft power” should be considered.

“The work that BTS does takes more than 1,000 diplomats to do,” he said.

‘Difficult times’

Since its debut in 2013, BTS has become a global sensation with its upbeat hits and social events aimed at empowering young people.

BTS, which became the first Asian band to win Artist of the Year at last year’s American Music Awards, met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in May to discuss hate crimes against Asians.

Choi Kwang-ho, secretary general of the Korea Music Content Association, said the wait for a decision was painful.

“Young artists have been tormented by hopes that will never come true,” Choi said.

A Gallup poll in April showed that nearly 60 percent of South Koreans supported a bill that would exempt globally successful K-pop stars from full military service, while 33 percent opposed it.

The band and their management company have sidestepped the debate, but in April, Big Hit official Lee Jin-hyung said at a news conference in Las Vegas that some of the band’s members were “uncertain” due to the “uncertainty” of the parliamentary debate. It’s “difficult”. He called for a decision.

When Jin was asked about Lee’s comments hours later, he said he let Big Hit handle the issue, but added that what Lee said reflected his views.

K-pop isn’t the only industry looking to change the rules. President Yoon Seol-yeol’s new administration is considering exemptions for some engineers and researchers in computer chips and other fields of technology.

The Ministry of Defense stated that the Constitution requires all citizens to fulfill their duty to defend the country.

“The addition of pop culture artists to exempt arts and sports personnel requires careful consideration in terms of fairness,” a department official said.

Some young people also wonder about the special treatment of BTS.

Seo Chang-jun, 20, said he understood why the Olympic champion was exempt, but wasn’t sure about BTS.

“The Olympics are national events and all Koreans cheer on the same team, but not everyone is a fan of BTS. Many people are not interested in them,” he told Reuters.