South Korea has passed a law suspending members of the K-pop group BTS until they reach the age of 30.
In South Korea, all men who are healthy enough to go are required to register and complete military service between the ages of 18 and 30. As the service is expected to take two years, the final age for men to register is 28.
However, following the band’s international success, the country has passed an amendment to its military service law, which would delay artists who have a positive impact on South Korea’s reputation by keeping their enrollment two years longer than the average person.
According to Yonhap, the change means that the PWP stars could delay their registration until they are 30 years old if they have made a significant contribution to South Korea’s global reputation.
Delay in registration of eligible person can come only on the recommendation of the Minister of Culture.
Discussions in Parliament began after BTS got No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with their song “Dynamite”. The government expects the song to generate up to $ 1.5 billion for South Korea’s economy.
In 2018, BTS was awarded the Order CF Cultural Merit Medal, awarded to the group for spreading the Korean language and culture.
The largest member of the BTS, Jin, turns 28 on December 4, meaning that the amendment was only passed in time to allow him to delay his military service for two years if he chooses to do so.
At a press conference marking the release of BTS ‘latest album, B.E., Jin was asked about his military service Said, “If a call comes from my country and the time is right, I will accept [the duty] At any time. “
He added, “This is something that all members talk about frequently and we all plan to accept military service.”
Prior to the Reformation, only sports and classical musicians were able to be suspended or discharged from military service.
In 2018, Son Hang-min, a 28-year-old footballer for the South Korean national team and Tottenham Hotspur, was exempted from registration after joining the winning team in the final Asian Games match against Japan.
His release meant that the required two-year enrollment was reduced to four weeks, which he started after being set aside two weeks in April this year. He then completed it and returned to play football in the UK.
