BTS may perform at South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has used K-pop stars to bolster his image, and president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol could be taking a leaf out of his book

A South Korean news agency has reported that K-pop super group BTS may perform at Yoon’s inauguration in May

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BTS are rumoured to perform at South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration. Photo: GC Images

Published: 7:45pm, 7 Apr 2022Updated: 4:10pm, 19 May 2022

South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s transition team is reportedly planning to use K-pop to add glitz and glamour to his administration.

According to South Korean media, last week Yoon’s team met executives of K-pop companies, including Hybe Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment, to discuss revitalising the highly lucrative entertainment industry and related start-ups following the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On April 5, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that BTS, managed by Hybe, may perform at Yoon’s inauguration.

Moon Jae-in, the current South Korean president, has had prominent relationships with many K-pop acts. Moon’s administration has frequently used the likes of BTS, Exo and Red Velvet to burnish its image, such as by organising goodwill concerts in North Korea and hosting performances at international political forums.

South Korea’s president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s team has, according to local media, met executives of K-pop companies to discuss revitalising the highly lucrative entertainment industry. Photo: Reuters

Yoon, who is set to take office in May, was elected in March after one of the most tense elections in South Korea’s history. A former prosecutor, Yoon’s conservative platform has raised concerns for being antifeminist and far-right in many political aspects.