BTS military exemption bill gains steam, faces opposition

BTS performs at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 9. [HYBE]

Some lawmakers are pushing a bill that would grant BTS an exemption from military service given the boy band's contribution to the nation's global standing and image.

"We'll be working on the bill so that we can reach a conclusion on the issue in April," People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Sung Il-jong said during a YTN radio program on Monday. "It is an anomaly that despite their contribution in raising the national dignity of Korea that the group still has not received a special exemption from the military service."

Kim is one of six PPP lawmakers on the 17-member National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, where the ruling Democratic Party holds the majority.

The committee failed to reach an agreement last November to pass a bill that would amend the military service law to allow K-pop artists who made significant contributions to the country an exemption from mandatory military service required of all Korean men 18 to 28.

If the bill were passed by the committee this month, it would be ready for voting at the National Assembly, which is holding an extraordinary session this month.

All Korean men are mandated by law to enlist unless they have extraordinary reasons for exemption.

Extraordinary reasons fall into two categories: impairments or disabilities and being "in the field of arts or sports to promote culture and enhance national prestige."

But the exemption for artists is only for those specializing in classical music, ballet or gugak, traditional Korean music.

This rules out K-pop artists like BTS, much to the distress of its fans.

BTS members were granted enlistment extensions, to 30, through an amendment to the military service law in 2020. The oldest member in the group, Kim Seok-jin, will turn 30 on Dec. 4, 2023. His stage name is Jin.

BTS has been receiving nominations and awards in the annual Billboard Music Awards since 2017, becoming the first K-pop act to ever be nominated and win an award at the Billboard Music Award.

The band received seven nominations for the Billboard Music Awards 2022, set to take place next month in Las Vegas.

They were also nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for the second year in a row at the Grammy Awards this year.

The issue has been a highly charged topic for years, and the public remains divided.

According to a Gallup Korea poll on the matter last week, 60 percent of men and 57 percent of women surveyed said they support an amendment to the military service law to allow some K-pop artists an exemption from the military service.

Opposition was highest among men 18 to 29 and men in their 40s and 60s, with 39 percent of men 18 to 29 and men over 60 opposing an exemption from military service for K-pop artists. Among men in their 50s, 41 percent were opposed.

The poll surveyed 1,004 people 18 or over.

HYBE, which represents the band, said in a statement last week that it hopes the assembly will make a decision during the extraordinary session.

BTS members have not spoken out on the matter, but Min Yoon-gi, known as Suga, wrote a song in 2020, "What do you think," that includes a line that appears to show his resolve to serve in the military.

"Woo woo, we'll be sure to go to the military when it's time," it goes, later criticizing all those who try to "freeload off us."

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]