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| HYBE calls for decision on BTS' military exemption |
HYBE CCO Lee Jin Hyung talked about the attitude of BTS members and the company regarding military service. Lee Jin Hyung answered cautiously about the possible exemption from military service for the seven BTS members while attending the press conference of the Permission to Dance On Stage concert in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
"It is true that we are worried about discussing this (issue), because we know how important the issue of military service is in Korea," said Lee Jin Hyung, quoted from Soompi on Sunday, April 10, 2022. "We hope that the decision on the amendment to the Military Service Act will taken immediately."
In South Korea, 28 is the maximum age for men to serve in the military. BTS members have been allowed to delay their military enlistment due to a new amendment passed in December 2020. The law allows artists who receive a recommendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to postpone their military service until they are 30 years old by international reckoning.
According to the current law, the oldest member of BTS, Jin, is required to enlist in the military before the end of 2022. However, several members of the National Assembly have proposed a law that would exempt male artists like BTS, who have made great contributions to the national interest, from their military duties. Currently, the South Korean legislature has not been able to reach an agreement on the bill.
“The current BTS members have left the matter of their military service in the hands of the company. BTS has conveyed the message several times that they will receive the call of duty when the country calls them, and they have not changed that opinion," said Lee Jin Hyung.
However, because the enactment of the law is still undergoing changes to date, they will continue to monitor it. "The military service policy has changed slightly, and because the members experienced changes to the Military Service Act that they didn't expect, they are currently monitoring the situation while discussing the matter with the company," he said.
The BTS members have been notified that after a new amendment to the Military Service Act is proposed, HYBE will be careful in making decisions regarding their military service. HYBE said that all BTS members have submitted military service matters to the company.
“To be precise, the policy regarding military service is changing, and it is true that BTS members are having a hard time because it is difficult for them to predict the time (of their military service). Since it is difficult for them to come up with a plan, both BTS members and the company are currently keeping an eye on the proposed amendments," said Lee Jin Hyung.
HYBE will do its best so that the decisions taken can benefit the community and BTS. "Since the issue of BTS's military service is something that interests the whole world, it seems that the debate (on this issue) is almost over both within society and within the National Assembly, so we hope that this issue will be resolved in the current National Assembly," said Lee Jin. hyung.