The issue of active military service for the band’s seven members has been a hot topic in South Korea because its oldest member, Jin, faces enlistment in December when he turns 30. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup told lawmakers he had ordered officials to conduct an investigation quickly. He said his ministry would also consider various other factors, such as the economic impact of BTS, the importance of military service and the overall national interest. After his comments caused an uproar, his ministry clarified in a statement that Lee had ordered officials to consider whether such an investigation was needed, rather than launching one immediately. He said officials were asked to work out details, including which agency would be in charge of an investigation, how long it would take and who exactly would be investigated. The statement said that if the investigation is conducted, it will be conducted by a third party, not the ministry or relevant authorities, to ensure fairness. The ministry said the results will be just one of several factors determining the military status of BTS members. Jimin, J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jungkook, Suga and V of BTS perform during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) By law, all able-bodied men in South Korea must serve 18 to 21 months in the military as part of a conscription system instituted to counter threats from rival North Korea. However, the country exempts athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet dancers and other dancers who win top spots in certain competitions because they are considered to have enhanced national prestige. Those who are exempt are released from the military after three weeks of basic training. But they are required to perform 544 hours of volunteer work and serve in their respective professional fields for 34 months. Some politicians and others have called for the exemptions to be expanded to include K-pop stars like BTS because they have also significantly raised South Korea’s international image. A private survey earlier this year found that about 60 percent of respondents supported a military exemption for BTS members. But another private survey in 2020 showed 46 percent supported exemptions while 48 percent opposed.
title: “Should K Pop Group Bts Be Exempt From Military Duty South Korea To Decide Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-27” author: “Melina Jackson”
The issue of active military service for the band’s seven members has been a hot topic in South Korea because its oldest member, Jin, faces enlistment in December when he turns 30. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup told lawmakers he had ordered officials to conduct an investigation quickly. He said his ministry would also consider various other factors, such as the economic impact of BTS, the importance of military service and the overall national interest. After his comments caused an uproar, his ministry clarified in a statement that Lee had ordered officials to consider whether such an investigation was needed, rather than launching one immediately. He said officials were asked to work out details, including which agency would be in charge of an investigation, how long it would take and who exactly would be investigated. The statement said that if the investigation is conducted, it will be conducted by a third party, not the ministry or relevant authorities, to ensure fairness. The ministry said the results will be just one of several factors determining the military status of BTS members. Jimin, J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jungkook, Suga and V of BTS perform during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) By law, all able-bodied men in South Korea must serve 18 to 21 months in the military as part of a conscription system instituted to counter threats from rival North Korea. However, the country exempts athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet dancers and other dancers who win top spots in certain competitions because they are considered to have enhanced national prestige. Those who are exempt are released from the military after three weeks of basic training. But they are required to perform 544 hours of volunteer work and serve in their respective professional fields for 34 months. Some politicians and others have called for the exemptions to be expanded to include K-pop stars like BTS because they have also significantly raised South Korea’s international image. A private survey earlier this year found that about 60 percent of respondents supported a military exemption for BTS members. But another private survey in 2020 showed 46 percent supported exemptions while 48 percent opposed.
title: “Should K Pop Group Bts Be Exempt From Military Duty South Korea To Decide Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-30” author: “Joan Faiella”
The issue of active military service for the band’s seven members has been a hot topic in South Korea because its oldest member, Jin, faces enlistment in December when he turns 30. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup told lawmakers he had ordered officials to conduct an investigation quickly. He said his ministry would also consider various other factors, such as the economic impact of BTS, the importance of military service and the overall national interest. After his comments caused an uproar, his ministry clarified in a statement that Lee had ordered officials to consider whether such an investigation was needed, rather than launching one immediately. He said officials were asked to work out details, including which agency would be in charge of an investigation, how long it would take and who exactly would be investigated. The statement said that if the investigation is conducted, it will be conducted by a third party, not the ministry or relevant authorities, to ensure fairness. The ministry said the results will be just one of several factors determining the military status of BTS members. Jimin, J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jungkook, Suga and V of BTS perform during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) By law, all able-bodied men in South Korea must serve 18 to 21 months in the military as part of a conscription system instituted to counter threats from rival North Korea. However, the country exempts athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet dancers and other dancers who win top spots in certain competitions because they are considered to have enhanced national prestige. Those who are exempt are released from the military after three weeks of basic training. But they are required to perform 544 hours of volunteer work and serve in their respective professional fields for 34 months. Some politicians and others have called for the exemptions to be expanded to include K-pop stars like BTS because they have also significantly raised South Korea’s international image. A private survey earlier this year found that about 60 percent of respondents supported a military exemption for BTS members. But another private survey in 2020 showed 46 percent supported exemptions while 48 percent opposed.
title: “Should K Pop Group Bts Be Exempt From Military Duty South Korea To Decide Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-05” author: “Wilson Martinez”
The issue of active military service for the band’s seven members has been a hot topic in South Korea because its oldest member, Jin, faces enlistment in December when he turns 30. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup told lawmakers he had ordered officials to conduct an investigation quickly. He said his ministry would also consider various other factors, such as the economic impact of BTS, the importance of military service and the overall national interest. After his comments caused an uproar, his ministry clarified in a statement that Lee had ordered officials to consider whether such an investigation was needed, rather than launching one immediately. He said officials were asked to work out details, including which agency would be in charge of an investigation, how long it would take and who exactly would be investigated. The statement said that if the investigation is conducted, it will be conducted by a third party, not the ministry or relevant authorities, to ensure fairness. The ministry said the results will be just one of several factors determining the military status of BTS members. Jimin, J-Hope, Jin, RM, Jungkook, Suga and V of BTS perform during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) By law, all able-bodied men in South Korea must serve 18 to 21 months in the military as part of a conscription system instituted to counter threats from rival North Korea. However, the country exempts athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet dancers and other dancers who win top spots in certain competitions because they are considered to have enhanced national prestige. Those who are exempt are released from the military after three weeks of basic training. But they are required to perform 544 hours of volunteer work and serve in their respective professional fields for 34 months. Some politicians and others have called for the exemptions to be expanded to include K-pop stars like BTS because they have also significantly raised South Korea’s international image. A private survey earlier this year found that about 60 percent of respondents supported a military exemption for BTS members. But another private survey in 2020 showed 46 percent supported exemptions while 48 percent opposed.