 |
The issue of special military service of "BTS" is drawing attention again. This is because the newly appointed Director of the Military Manpower Administration, Lee Ki-sik, said that he would gather the opinions of the people and reconsider the special military service system. While public opinion is divided over whether "BTS" falls under the special military service exception, the future situation will be watched as he mentioned "insufficient military service application" and said that he would reconsider the "military service special exception" system.
Lee attended the general meeting of the National Assembly Defense Committee on May 17th, saying, "It is said that the military service environment in Japan is that volunteers for military service are hitting the wall," and it is necessary to reconsider the special military service system.
When asked what exactly "reexamination" means, Mr. Lee replied, "When it is necessary to reexamine whether the supplementary service system should be left as it is." Mr. Lee said, "Until now, it (the special military service system) was gradually reduced, but due to the 'BTS' problem, it became Hot Topic again. It seems necessary to listen to and consider the opinions of the public."
According to the current military service law, "BTS" will be subject to active convocation from 2023. The current military service law stipulates that persons recommended by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism as persons with special skills in the field of arts and physical education specified by a presidential ordinance can be transferred as arts and physical education personnel. However, popular culture artists such as "BTS" do not fall under this category.
JIN, the oldest member of "BTS", was born in December 1992 and had to join the army in December last year. However, he applied for postponement of enlistment based on the military service law revised last year, and he will be able to work until December 31st in this year. According to the amendment, if it is recognized that there is a remarkable achievement in proclaiming national prestige as a popular culture artist who received the Order of Culture and Medal, if you submit an application, people will be enlisted until the age of 30 after being recommended by the rear secretary of the Cultural Gymnasium.
In one corner, "BTS" has achieved remarkable results such as No. 1 on the main single chart of "Billboard" in the United States for 12 weeks, "Artist of The Year" of American Music Awards, which is the three major music awards ceremony in the United States, and Grammy Award for the second consecutive year. It is insisted that he should be transferred as an "man in arts" and allow alternative services just because they raised it.
Reflecting this public opinion, the so-called "BTS bill" (revision of the military service law) was deliberated for the first time in the Diet in November last year, allowing popular cultural artists such as "BTS" to serve as military substitutes. However, it was put on hold without a conclusion. At that time, an official of the National Assembly's Defense Committee bill subcommittee said, "All the ruling and opposition parties have expressed their pros and cons. We couldn't reach the vote."
Under these circumstances, former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee refrained from retiring, saying, "Today's popular culture artists have no choice but to suspend their activities due to the fulfillment of military service obligations, despite the remarkable achievements of national prestige. He said, "This is an obvious national loss," and urged the "BTS" military service exception.
On the other hand, HYBE, the "BTS" management office, hopes to reach a swift conclusion on the draft amendment to the military service law that has been put on hold in the Diet.
2022/05/20 09:24 KST
