Debate over military service exemptions for K-pop stars BTS divides South Korea
South Korea’s military appears to want to conscript members of the K-pop supergroup BTS for mandatory military duties, as the public remains sharply divided over whether they should be given exemptions.
Lee Ki Sik, commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, told lawmakers on Friday it is “desirable” for BTS members to fulfill their military duties to ensure fairness in the country’s military service.
Earlier this week, Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup made almost identical comments about BTS at a parliamentary committee meeting, while Culture Minister Park Bo Gyoon has said his ministry will soon finalise its position on the issue.
Whether the band’s seven members must serve in the army is one of the hottest issues in South Korea because its oldest member, Jin, faces possible enlistment early next year after turning 30 in December.
Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men are required to perform 18-21 months of military service. But the law provides special exemptions for athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers who have won top prizes in certain competitions that enhance national prestige.
Since the draft forces young men to suspend their professional careers or studies, the dodging of military duties or creation of exemptions is a highly sensitive issue.
In one recent survey, about 61% of respondents supported exemptions for entertainers such as BTS, while in another, about 54% said BTS members should serve in the military.
Several amendments of the conscription law that would pave the way for BTS members to be exempted have been introduced in the National Assembly, but haven't been voted on with lawmakers sharply divided on the matter.
The Defence Minister earlier said he had ordered officials to consider conducting a public survey to help determine whether to grant exemptions to BTS, although his ministry later said it would not carry out such a survey.
In August, the Minister said that if BTS members join the military, they would likely be allowed to continue practicing and to join other non-serving BTS members in overseas group tours.