Advertisement
South Korea’s defence ministry has stressed the need for “prudence” in considering whether to allow active-duty military service exemptions for K-pop superstar group BTS, who just got their second Grammy nomination in as many years, and other top artists, citing the nation’s shrinking population and other factors.
Boo Seung-chan, the ministry’s spokesperson, made the remarks as the National Assembly has been deliberating on a revision bill aimed at allowing male artists who have contributed to national interests to work in fields of their specialty for 34 months under an alternative programme that would exempt them from mandatory active-duty service, reports Yonhap News Agency.
All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve in the military for about two years. But only global award-winning athletes and classical musicians have been granted a waiver in recognition of their role in promoting their country’s image abroad. Well now BTS and other boy bands too get one such waiver!
Advertisement
