Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol avoids questions on BTS's military service

K-pop

Published: 23 Jun. 2022, 16:24

Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol avoids questions on BTS's military service

BTS [AP/YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk-yeol refused to directly answer questions related to BTS’s military conscription on his way to work Thursday.

The issue has re-emerged as BTS announced via its official YouTube channel Bangtan TV last week that they will temporarily be taking a break from group activities and instead focus on their solo careers.

Yoon has been stopping for doorstep interviews on his way to the office since becoming president.

When the local press asked the president about the boy band’s halting of activities and possible alternative military services, Yoon answered that he is not in a position to state his opinion.

"Depending on how the people view it, it could proceed according to the law, or if public opinion is such, the National Assembly could revise the relevant regulations. I don't think it's something I should comment on prematurely," he said.

President Yoon Suk-yeol answers questions related to BTS's alternative military service on his way to work on Thursday in Yongsan District, central Seoul. [NEWS1]

In Korea, all able-bodied young men are required to serve around two years in the military.

Under the current military conscription law, prominent figures in arts and sports fields such as Olympic and Asian Games medalists and globally recognized, award-wining classical musicians are legally exempted from their military duties. However, the current law does not include pop culture figures.

Jin, the oldest of the septet, was born in 1992. His enlistment has been deferred until the end of the year.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]