BTS has a high chance of postponing their military enlistment until the age of 30, says National Assembly's National Defense Committee after passing the revision to the Military Service Act.
According to My Daily, the revision referred to as the "Korean Wave Idol Military Service Special Act" allows the deferment of the mandatory conscription and recruitment of South Korean men ages 28 (international age) and below. In this act, outstanding people in popular culture and arts can delay their service until the age of 30. Thus, if the bill containing the revision will have final approval, BTS can now have an option to postpone their service, mainly Jin's upcoming enlistment set to happen next year until he reaches the age of thirty.
Earlier, the National Assembly's National Defense Committee held the voting on the same day of their plenary session to decide whether to pass the revision or not. To explain the further context of the revised act, which is still a bill, the people who are only eligible to this act are those who are considered to have significant contributions to enhancing and improving South Korea's internal and external status and dignity as outstanding players in pop and culture such as the global group, BTS.
In particular, Representative Jeon Yong Ki of the Democratic Party of Korea proposed the bill related to the military service of Hallyu Wave stars, noting, "If we do not allow celebrities like BTS to delay military service, it is unreasonable not only in terms of deprivation of opportunities but also in terms of enhancing the national image."
"If the bill passes the plenary session and the enforcement ordinance is revised, BTS members will be able to delay their enlistment until they are 30 years old," he explained. The bill has yet to be enacted, but it is highly likely that it will be legislated since there was not much revised. A session still needs to be done to confirm and enact the revision to the ongoing Military service act.
Meanwhile, during the global press conference to commemorate BTS's latest album "BE" at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, questions relating to their military enlistment plans were asked.
Leader RM then replied on the issue of military enlistment surrounding BTS, "I always feel burdened. Just as fame has called a tax, it happens because we are loved a lot," he said. "I don't think everything is reasonable, but there are many issues because we are loved a lot. I'm just trying to accept it," he confessed.
Born in 1992 and aged 27 this year, the eldest brother Jin who is the nearest member to have his military enlistment strongly answered, "As a young man of Korea. Military service is a natural duty," and added, "I will respond whenever I have a call from the country."
As a response, if BTS members will also have their enlistment, Jin affirms, "I often talk to the members, and they all said they would accept military service."
