The Ministry of National Defense has officially given a statement regarding BTS' military service. Keep on reading to know whether the boys will enlist or not.
Will BTS Serve in the Military? Ministry of National Defense Official Responds
On Sept. 20, a plenary session was held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, and Min Hong Cheol (a member of the Democratic Party of Korea) raised a question concerning BTS' military service to Minister Lee Jong Seop of the National Defense.
Min Hong Cheol asked, "The issue of BTS' military service is not being decided through an opinion poll. Can the decision for whether or not the group will serve in the military really be made through a poll?"
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Minister Lee Jong Seop responded, "To repeat the position of the ministry of the National Defense, there will be no change in the existing stance that it is difficult to expand the alternative service system with regard to the fairness of military service obligations on the BTS military service issue."
In short, the BTS members may have to serve in the military, with Jin being the first one to enlist as he is the oldest and he will turn 30 later this year.
Min Hong Cheol then commented, "I think that the most important duty of military service among the four obligations under the constitution should be imposed in accordance with laws and principles. I hope that the Minister's stern will be upheld."
READ MORE: Why Did BTS Military Exemption Suddenly Become Hot Topic? K-Media Cite Reasons
Previously, the National Assembly Defense Committee and media outlets conducted public surveys to determine whether pop culture artists like BTS, who have contributed significantly to the promotion of national prestige, should be changed to an alternative service in place of mandatory military service.
Among the 1,018 individuals over the age of 18 who participated in the survey, 60.9% voted that revisions to the law on mandatory military service should be made to allow pop culture artists like BTS be exempted from enlisting.
Do you agree that BTS members should serve in the military or not? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
BTS' "Proof" & Songs Steadily Rank on Billboard Charts
In other news, BTS' anthology album "Proof" once again claimed a spot on Billboard 200, while the group's songs also remain in other Billboard charts.
For the week ending on Sept. 24, "Proof" climbed up one spot on Billboard 200 to No. 90, marking its 14th week on the chart.
Additionally, BTS' first English hit "Dynamite" ranked 124th on Billboard Global 200, while "My Universe" came in at No. 132 and "Butter" at No. 196.
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"Bad Decisions" sits at No. 27 on this week's Pop Airplay chart, No. 108 on Global Excl. U.S chart, and No. 117 on Global 200.
Solo songs of a few BTS members also made it to this week's Billboard charts. In particular, Jungkook's "Left & Right" with Charlie Puth took No. 41 on Hot 100, No. 9 on the Digital Song Sales chart, No. 14 on Pop Airplay chart, No. 33 on the Global Excl. U.S chart, and No. 37 on Global 200.
Finally, Balming Tiger's "Sexy Nukim" featuring RM placed 9th on the World Digital Song Sales chart.
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Written by Maria Scott
