The issue over BTS’s military enlistment was depicted in the latest episode of “PD Note”.
On May 10th, an episode titled “BTS and military service” of MBC’s well-known investigative journalism program “PD Note” was broadcast and covered the topic of an alternative military service system for art and sports personnel.
Choi Kwang-ho, secretary-general of the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA), said, “BTS’s Jin can defer his enlistment until this year, but next year, it’s time he has to fulfill his military service.” He continued, “Isn’t there a 6-month period for a law to be formally put into effect after it is passed? In the end, BTS is now in a situation where military service benefits are impossible.”
Regarding the Military Service Act., Sung Il-jong, a member of the National Assembly, said at the National Defence Commission on November 25th last year, “One BTS member has to enlist in the military by December 31st this year and if the members enlist one after another, BTS will be separated. This caused an identity problem so there is no more opportunity. That’s why three people proposed that it is a good idea to judge the right and wrong considering national benefits even though we might get criticized”.
Mentioning BTS’s military service exemption on May 4th, former Minister of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee also stated, “Due to the obligation of fulfilling military service, activities are forced to be suspended. This will obviously lead to a national loss”, adding, “I hope the National Assembly will begin discussing on this issue as soon as possible”.
So what do Koreans think about this issue? The majority of netizens said, “It’s not fair and equal if BTS members are given military service exemption”, while many people still believe the government should support them.
Source: Nate
