South Korean minister weighs in on BTS military service amid ‘rich-poor’ debate

South Korea’s current mandatory military service policy allows waivers for some elite athletes and musicians – but not for popular performers

Moon Jae-in’s outgoing administration is mulling an exemption for musicians, which opponents say highlights preferential treatment for the wealthy. But even if they do, there’s not much time left as BTS’ Jin is set to enlist in December

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BTS performs at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas in April. Photo: AP

Published: 6:45pm, 5 May 2022Updated: 7:31pm, 5 May 2022

“A cultural loss for mankind.” That was the assessment of South Korea’s Culture Minister Hwang Hee discussing the implications of K-pop group BTS being made to serve mandatory military service.

Hwang’s comments on Wednesday are the clearest indication yet that the outgoing administration of President Moon Jae-in – who will hand power to President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol next week – favours exempting the superstars from what is otherwise seen as a right of passage for all able-bodied men in the country.

It remains to be seen if the new administration shares the same views, however.

Even amid more pressing concerns such as escalating sabre-rattling from the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, this issue continues to dominate a fair amount of domestic debate given there is not much time left for laws to be amended because the first band member, 29-year-old Kim Seok-jin, (known as Jin) is due to be enlisted by the end of this year.

BTS perform during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards show in Las Vegas in April. Photo: Reuters

While BTS fans are overwhelmingly in favour of some exemption, there are others in the country who are vehemently against what they see as preferential treatment for the wealthy, powerful and connected.