While BTS has announced it will enter its 10th year with a combination of group activities and a greater focus on the members' solo activities, some in the ruling party are calling for a special military service exception. especially for pop culture artists, especially BTS. This issue is becoming a hot topic in recent days.
Recently, congressman Yoon Sang-hyun, who proposed an amendment to the Military Service Act, urgently asked the National Assembly to give final decision to this issue as soon as possible!
Representative Yoon Sang-hyun, who is known as one of the candidates of People Power Country, has called on the National Assembly to play an active role in amending the military service law for popular culture artists, represented by BTS. The congressman has always appreciated the huge shaking-effect on economic and reputation of Korea created by 7 boys.
Previously, in June of last year, Congressman Yoon proposed an amendment to the Military Service Act that would allow popular culture artists with a high contribution to the national interest to perform alternative military services through arts and sports personnel.
The current law allows art and sports personnel that win the top prize at domestic and international art contests, the Olympics and Asian games, or those who have completed the national intangible cultural assets to get an exemption from the military service. The amendment asks to add popular culture artists to these exemptions.
After hearing the news about BTS focusing on the members' solo activities, Congressman Yoon shared his thoughts: "While (BTS) emphasized that they were tired and needed a break, the main reason behind this decision was because of Jin's military service, who must enlist within the year". He thought that the National Assembly must choose BTS for the greater national interest.
He futher added: "The impact of BTS pausing their activities is enormous on the Korean economy beyond the K-pop market. It is now time for the National Assembly to give an answer."
The Congressman also mentioned that although HYBE talked about waiting for an urgent conclusion of the National Assembly on the issue of military service of members, so far the National Assembly has been avoiding this issue. He even gave the example of HYBE losing 2 trillion KRW in stock value in one day just because of BTS hiatus news being misunderstood.
To that extent, the impact of BTS's suspension on the Korean economy outside of the K-pop market is truly enormous. Without BTS, the golden age of K-pop might disappear like a bubble. That's why “It is time for the National Assembly to choose the greater national interest instead of avoiding the revision of the (Military Service Act),”
