Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
No military service exemptions for BTS: reform body officials
BTS members are expected to serve in the military in the coming years. Korea Times file
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
K-pop stars such as BTS will not be exempted from compulsory military service.
Officials at the government's military system reform body said Sunday that they have agreed not to extend an existing exemption.
An official announcement is expected to be made at the end of this month.
Prize winners of certain contests, mostly Western classical and Korean traditional music events, as well as athletes who win any of Olympic medals or Asian Games gold medals can be exempted from the service (about two years).
The fairness of the system ― backed by a law introduced in 1973 ― was questioned last year after BTS' global success. Some lawmakers, including Ha Tae-keung of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, called for reform, saying that pop artists also deserved the privilege.
Some noted athletes such as Lee Kang-in, who led Korea to an historic runner-up finish at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, could also be considered.
If the system remains the same or changes very little, which seems likely, Jin, 26, the oldest member of BTS, is expected to begin military duty soon. In an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” in April, he said he would respond to the duty and do his best when the time comes.