BTS’s Military Enlistment Put In The Spotlight Again As Many Korean Athletes Got Exempted After The Asian Games 

The 19th Hangzhou Asian Games will end today (October 8th)

South Korea ranked third overall with 42 gold medals, 59 silver medals and 89 bronze medals at this event.

Male players who achieved gold medals will receive military service exemption.

According to the Enforcement Decree of the Military Service Act, those who win Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medals and Asian Games gold medals will be incorporated as art and sports personnel.

Art and sports personnel are an alternative service system that allows athletes to continue their career except for four weeks of basic military training and 544 hours of volunteer work in the sports field for 34 months.

In South Korea, “military exemption” is bound to be a huge benefit.

Netizens also cheered for the finals of each event by telling the athletes, “Let’s get exempted from the military.” Many envied the gold medal-winning athletes since they will not have to go to the military.

However, some expressed negative views, saying, “Is it right to continue the military service exception law at a time when there is a lack of military service resources?”

In particular, there were public opinions that it is unfair to grant the national League Of Legends team military service benefits just because they play games well.

Many are angry as BTS, a global group that worked hard to enhance its national prestige, eventually had to serve in the military without receiving a military exemption.

However, BTS members are reportedly thriving in the military. Jin, the eldest member who joined the army first, received early promotion to corporal after winning a special fighter prize in July.

j-hope, a member who is working as an army assistant, also made headlines on October 6th for becoming a special fighter following Jin.

Source: insight