Ministry of Defense Nominee Speaks Up on BTS and Their Military Enlistment
On September 14, the Ministry of Defense nominee Seo Wook spoke up on his stance on the possibility that the group members' military enlistment will be postponed.
Seo Wook submitted a written question-and-answer letter to the National Assembly's National Defense Committee. One of the questions asked in the Q&A was "What are your opinion on the military service exemption system and the possible military exemption for BTS?"
Seo Wook answered, "I believe everyone should be treated equally and fairly. The military service exemption for Hallyu pop culture artists is a matter in which a national consensus should be done, and an in-depth discussion is needed in advance."
Previously, on September 1, it was announced that the military enlistment of the BTS members could possibly be delayed due to revisions that could be made to the Military Service Act. Following BTS topping the Billboard Hot 100 for "Dynamite", the South Korean government has begun pushing to allowing certain K-pop artists to postpone their military service.
The revisions state:
"Individuals who have shown a formidable influence in contributing to the advancement of the nation in the field of culture and arts, are recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and tourism [...] Individuals who have worked in the culture and artist fields for more than three years, have exceptional contributions to raising the national status, and have been acknowledged by the government for their worthiness will be authorized to postpone their enlistment."
It is stressed that they will not be exempt from partaking in their mandatory service, it will just be postponed. Currently, only those pursuing postsecondary education, those in the process of completing a course in a training institution, and athletes who elevate the national reputation were qualified to have their mandatory military service postponed.
All the BTS members except for Jungkook are pursuing postsecondary education, which means they can delay their military enlistment until they turn 28 years old. The oldest member of BTS, Jin, is turning 28 this year, however. Because of that, it is expected that, if the revisions do not push through, that he will be enlisting for the military in December 2020.
On September 2, however, Big Hit Entertainment revealed through a stock report submitted to the Financial Services Commission for listing on KOPSI, that they could possibly postpone Jin's enlistment until the end of 2021. The section of the report reads, "BTS consists of members born between 1992 and 1997, and are all eligible for active duty service. We believe that we could possibly postpone Jin's enlistment date until the end of 2021."
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ABOUT BTS
BTS is a seven-member boy group under Big Hit Entertainment that debuted in 2013. The group consists of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. BTS is the best-selling artist in South Korean history and their album, "Map of the Soul: 7" is the best-selling album in South Korean history. The group is known for tackling a wide variety of genres and for being active in the creative process of their music. They are also known for their lyrics, which are often focused on personal and social commentary that touches on mental health, conflicts of school-age youth, loss, loving one's self, and individualism. Their music also often references literature and psychological concepts, such as an alternative universe storyline.
BTS, from 2017 to 2019, appeared in TIME's "25 Most Influential People On The Internet" and, in 2019, appeared in the magazine "100 Most Influential People In The World". They are also dubbed the "Princes of Pop" by the outlets. In 2018 and 2020, BTS was named the most influential celebrity in South Korea by Forbes Korea. In Forber Celebrity 100, BTS ranked 43rd in the world's top-earning celebrities,
