K-pop group BTS members face possible military conscription

South Korea’s military appears to want to conscript members of the K-pop supergroup BTS for mandatory military duties, as the public remains sharply divided over whether they should be given exemptions. (Read More Here).

Lee Ki Sik, commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, told lawmakers on Friday that it’s “desirable” for BTS members to fulfill their military duties to ensure fairness in the country’s military service.

Whether the band’s seven members must serve in the army is one of the hottest issues in South Korea because its oldest member, Jin, faces possible enlistment early next year after turning 30 in December.

Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men are required to perform 18-21 months of military service. But the law provides special exemptions for athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers who have won top prizes in certain competitions that enhance national prestige.

Without a revision of the law, the government can take steps to grant special exemptions. But past exemptions for people who performed well in non-designated competitions triggered serious debate about the fairness of the system.

The parliament in Seoul passed a bill to allow global K-pop stars such as BTS to move the upper age for national service to 30.

But this means BTS’ eldest member, Jin, could face being called up next year because his 30th birthday is in December.

On Friday, the commissioner of the military manpower administration, Lee Ki Sik, told MPs it was “desirable” for BTS members to fulfil their military duties.

Earlier this week, defence minister Lee Jong-Sup ordered officials to examine whether a public survey is needed to make the decision. The culture minister Park Bo Gyoon said that his ministry would finalise its position soon.

But the Ministry of National Defence has rejected the idea of a survey.

According to the South Korean publication SBS, the ministry said in an official statement: “The Ministry of National Defence will not arrange a public poll on the matter, nor make decisions on the issue of BTS’ military service solely based on the result of the poll.”