“BTS members should come into the military.”
South Korean band BTS may be allowed to perform on stage, despite their mandatory military service in the South Korean military, the New York Post reported.
Due to the country’s decades-long war with North Korea, all able-bodied South Korean men must serve for at least 18 months before their 28th birthday.
In 2020, exceptions were made for group members to BTS delay their service until age 30, which means the oldest BTS member, Jin, 29, would normally enlist later this year.
Speaking at a parliamentary session on Monday, South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup said a number of alternative military service options are being considered for BTS.
“BTS members should come into the military, and I think there will be a way for us to give them the opportunity to train as well as allow them to leave the country and perform at any time if they have overseas concerts scheduled,” he said.
“Since many people are very appreciative of the artists serving in the military, this can help increase their popularity even more,” he added.
Last May, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee confirmed that the seven members of the group; Jung Kook, V, Jimin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jin and RM will be exempted from South Korea’s mandatory military service.
“It is time to create a system to integrate popular culture and art personalities as artistic personnel,” he told Yonhap news agency.
“The exemption system has been meaningfully applied to give those who have improved national status based on their excellent skills more chances to contribute to the country, and there is no reason why the field of popular art and culture should be excluded.”
