BTS Military Service Issue, Virtually Concluded by Enlistment, Not Special Cases [MK Issue]

BTS Military Service Issue, Virtually Concluded by Enlistment, Not Special Cases [MK Issue]

 

It is an atmosphere in which the active duty rather than the issue of military service of the group BTS is effectively stranded by active duty rather than alternative service. The heated public opinion that has followed some in the political circles demanding the BTS military service special case is also expected to gradually subside.

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In a question to the Grand Government on the Areas of Foreign Affairs, Reunification, and Security at the 4th Plenary Session of the National Assembly on 20 October, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup  reaffirmed his existing position that "it is difficult to expand the alternative service system" in relation to the issue of special cases of military service in BTS.

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On this day, a member of the Democratic Party, Min Hong-chul, said, "The BTS military service issue is now being decided through the polls. Asked if the polls could decide whether to go to the military and not go  , the minister replied, "No.

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To reiterate the position of the Ministry of Defense, on the issue of BTS military service, there is no change from the existing position that 'it is difficult to expand the system of alternative service in terms of fairness in the performance of military service.'"

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Ministry of National Defense, Military Affairs Administration, and Political Circles Conclude "No Expansion of Special Military Service Cases"

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In the meantime, the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Affairs Office have taken a negative stance on the issue of special cases of military service for BTS. However, after Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon proposed to the President the special case for the military service of BTS, which was commissioned as an ambassador to host the 2030 Busan World's Expo, he said, "I will listen to public opinion."

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Speaking at the plenary session of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee on 31 October, Minister Lee referred to the "polls" by saying, "The BTS (military service) issue will be decided carefully, taking into account the opinions of various members of Congress and taking into account the national interests at various levels, but we will make a decision as soon as possible  ."

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However, on the day of the controversy, the Ministry of National Defense immediately emphasized that "the Ministry of National Defense will  not conduct a poll  on the 'BTS Military Service Issue,'" and that "the results of the polls alone  will not make decisions on the 'BTS Military Service Issue.'"

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Since then, polls on the BTS military service special case have been conducted by various research agencies, but without overwhelming approval, there has been a strong consensus that the Ministry of National Defense reiterated its position that it is difficult to expand the alternative service system at the National Assembly's Grand Government Questionnaire, and the issue of BTS military service is effectively concluded to be "non-extraordinary."

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Hot potato 'BTS Special Practice Act' Looks Like It Will Be Scrapped Eventually

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The debate surrounding BTS's special military service case has been a consensus among some lawmakers since 3-4 years ago.

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BTS then  continued its rise to prominence in the global music market, including topping the U.S. Billboard Main Charts of the Billboard 200 and the Hot 100, and the enormous economic effects of their activities brought to the table in earnest as the trillions of economic effects brought on the topic.

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The current Military Service Act provides for the incorporation of persons recommended by the Minister of Culture, Gymnasium and Mines as artistic and sports personnel as persons with specialties  in the field of arts and sports prescribed by the Presidential Decree. In the case of public  artists, there is no reasonable standard in place, and they have not been subject to special military service in the past, but it has been pointed out that the inclusion of a public artist in the criteria for special military service in the BTS case is itself a violation of equity.

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At present, the National Defense Commission has pending 3 amendments to the Military Service Act (initiated by Representative Yoon Sang-hyun, Seong-kyun Kyung-yo, and Representative Ahn Min-suk)  that include popular culture artists such as BTS in the transfer  of arts and sports personnel.  On 19 October, Congressman Kim Young-bae of the Democratic Party also announced an amendment to the Military Service Act, which  attracted attention because it aimed at adding pop culture artists who have received  cultural decorations, cultural packaging,  sports decorations, and sports packaging to the arts and sports personnel.

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Since they received the Corolla Culture Medal in 2018 for their contributions to the spread of the Korean Wave and the Korean Horse, they meet the criteria for the addition of arts and sports personnel to the Military Service Law Amendment Bill proposed by Congressman Kim this time.  However, as the Ministry of National Defense's keynote of not expanding alternative service is clear, this too will not be a reality.

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Im Jin-mo "The keywords of the present era are fairness, equality... Special Cases Are Against Equity"

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The issue of BTS military service has emerged as a "hot potato" in the political sphere, and it has also sparked controversy online. After the Ministry of National Defense announced that it would decide by "consulting" public opinion, the results of the polls of each institution poured in like a whooping bamboo shoot, and the pros and cons were tight.

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However, regardless of the results of the polls, there was a higher level of negative public opinion online about BTS military service. The analysis also emerged that it was the result of an increase in fatigue.

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In the midst of this, music critic Im Jin-mo appeared on MBC's "100 Minutes Discussion" on 20 March and expressed his opposition to the BTS military service special case, which became a hot topic. "BTS's track record is enormous, and it should  definitely be rewarded, but (it) should not be linked to special military service and exemptions  ," Lim said, adding,  "I think it is right for members to enlist sequentially.   In the end, it will have a good effect not only on equity, but also on those who are active."

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Citing the differences between the fine arts and the popular arts, Lim Jin-mo also said, "I think that no matter how much you have contributed overseas, it is against equity to be granted special military service and exemptions again," adding,  "The keywords of the present era are fairness, equality, and fairness. BTS has made a lot of money and is a team that has already achieved everything."

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After the broadcast, a number of Nuri people expressed sympathy by saying, "Im Jin-mo's idea is the general view." Nouri responded by saying, "BTS already enjoys a great deal of wealth and honor because it receives special military service," "Bulletproof is bulletproof, even if it is not complete," "You can enlist sequentially like the Taboy Group and  have the rest of the members active," "The fairness and common sense of this divided country is that every man enlists in the military," "It is exhausting to discuss this issue in this way."

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BTS 'National Representative' Walk Continues After Enlistment

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Starting with his eldest brother, Jin, RM, Sugar, Jay-Hop, Jimin, Vu, and Jungkook are all eligible for active duty enlistment as Korean nationals. Jin was born in December 1992 and was originally required to enlist in December of last year, but in June of last year, due to the revision of the Military Service Act for Outstanding People in Popular Culture and Arts, he applied for a postponement of enlistment until the end of this year, and will be eligible for active duty conscription from next year.

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However, even after BTS members have enlisted at their given time, the  road is open for them to see their full selves in some cases. Earlier, the minister attended a plenary meeting of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee on 1 March  and said, "There will be a way to allow (BTS) to come to the military, but to give them time to practice and to perform abroad."

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At the time, the minister upheld the existing position that we should be cautious about expanding special military service and emphasized "how to solve the principled problems of fairness, equity, and reduction of military service resources within the scope of not touching them." "We think there is a way for (BTS) to come to the military but give them a chance to practice, and if there is a show overseas, they can perform together," he said, adding  , "I value the very fact of serving in the military, so that can help their popularity."

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BTS, which is celebrating 10 years of its debut this year, announced in June that it would take a break from group musical activities to focus on personal growth when BTS released its  Ansolage album 'Old Two Com'.

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However, BTS' 'completeness' streak continues. They were commissioned as ambassadors for the 2030 Busan World's Fair in July, heralding their ambassadorial activities, and as part of this, they will  be holding a solo concert of the old Tucom 'Origins of Attracting the 2030 Busan World's Expo' at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on October 15.

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BTS will also meet fans at the 2022 The Fact Music Awards, which will be held at the Banggo Olympic Gymnastics Stadium (K Spodome) in Seoul on October 8, ahead of the concert.

 

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[ Star Today reporter Park Se-yeon]

 

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https://m.mk.co.kr/star/hot-issues/view/2022/09/836235/