SEOUL — Kim Seok-jin, the oldest member of the global K-pop phenomenon BTS, turns 28 on Friday, had to join the military for at least 20 months but On Tuesday, South Korea’s Parliament passed a bill in his favour.
South Korea’s National Assembly, passed a revision of the country’s Military Service Act. The revised law lets top K-pop stars like Mr Kim postpone their military service until they turn 30. Mr Kim, who goes by his stage name Jin, will now be able to perform for two more years at what could be the height of his career.
Mr Kim’s birthday could have marked the end of his current career as a K-pop star. Until now, all able-bodied South Korean men have been required to enlist in the military for about 20 months once they turn 28, if not sooner.
The BTS fans celebrated the news on social media.
https://twitter.com/moekapinkk/status/1329680700488839168
Under the revised law, K-pop entertainers who have received government medals for helping spread or elevate the country’s cultural influence around the world can apply for deferment of their military service. All seven members of BTS meet that requirement. They were awarded the medal in 2018.
Olympians and Asian Games medal-winners, classical and folk musicians who win certain awards have already been excused from military service on the grounds that they enhance national prestige.
Lawmakers introduced a bill for revising the Military Service Act in September after BTS became the first-ever South Korean group to top the United States Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with the song “Dynamite.”
In South Korea, more than 200,000 young men each year have to interrupt their studies or careers to join the military. Conscription is seen as crucial to the country’s defence against North Korea, and South Korea cannot afford too many exemptions.
