The world-wide famous K-POP group, BTS, will have to participate in South Korea’s mandatory military service after officials from the country’s defence ministry said that exemptions for the seven-member boyband as well as other K-POP artists would not be granted.
In a statement reported by KPOP Herald , South Korea’s Military Manpower Administration stated that “we decided not to waiver military service, considering the government position to enhance fairness and downsize the number of exemption due to manpower shortage”.
Previously, notable people who had contributed to South Korea’s world standing in other ways were not required to participate in the two year mandatory military service. Notable groups of people who have had exemptions so far include athletes and footballers. Other exempted individuals include noteworthy musicians and artists.
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A number of fans did want BTS to be exempted from South Korea’s mandatory military service, arguing that the boyband group and other K-POP artists have contributed vastly to the country’s culture, economy and image.
However, the law has been amended which therefore makes the attainment of exemptions much more difficult than it was the case previously. In a further news report, KPOP Herald wrote that the refusal to grant exemptions is “part of the government’s reform bill that aims to tighten rules for alternative military service”.
The reaction to this developing news story has been mixed, with some arguing that BTS would better serve the country by doing what they are already amazing at. In contrast, others have argued that K-POP artists should complete their military service and that exemptions should be kept to a minimum.
