The K-pop supergroup’s fans and several politicians had called for authorities to exempt band from military duty.
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https://scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3038861/bts-do-military-service-south-korean-government-refuses Entertainment
BTS to do military service: South Korean government refuses to give K-pop supergroup exemptions
- Fans and politicians of group that topped the Billboard charts had called for authorities to exempt band members from military duty
- But government confirms only ‘qualified’ athletes and artists, not famous entertainers, will get immunity
The South Korean government confirmed that K-pop supergroup BTS will not be exempt from military service.
By Park Si-soo
Members of K-pop supergroup BTS will have to fulfil their military duty for about two years after the government decided not to grant exemptions to high-profile entertainers due to the shrinking pool of able-bodied people eligible for service.
Members of the boy band’s fan club, known as Army, and several politicians had called for authorities to grant exemptions to BTS, who have become a worldwide sensation, topping the Billboard charts.
The government confirmed the decision on Thursday at a policymaking meeting presided over by South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon. At the meeting, the Defence Ministry decided to keep the policy of offering military duty exemptions to “qualified” athletes and artists, while not expanding the exemption to include famous entertainers.
“We came to review this system to reduce the number of exemptions in the first place, so we did not at all consider expanding exemptions,” Lee Nam-woo, chief of the Ministry’s personnel welfare office, said after the meeting. “We also believe that military duty will not hurt the talents of popular performers so critically that they cannot perform any more.”
Lee said the government would incrementally reduce the number of people eligible for exemption by about 20 per cent from 2022 to 2026.
Under the endorsed policy, exemptions are granted to those who contribute to “raising the national profile” by winning gold at the Asian Games or any medals at the Olympic Games, and artists who win or come second at designated international arts competitions or take top place at designated domestic arts competitions.
The government reviewed the exemption policy after its fairness was questioned amid BTS’ meteoric rise. Critics argued that it was “unfair” to exclude BTS and other top K-pop stars because they deserved as much credit for raising the national profile as medal-winning athletes and artists.
Read the full story at the Korea Times