Recently, public attention is focusing on the story of a politician calling for BTS to perform at the concert for the disastrous World Scout Camp of 2023 to save the event. The plan was met with backlash for trying to take advantage of its members, including those currently serving in the army, to correct mistakes for the government.

In the face of strong public reaction, politician Sung Il Jong - who made the appeal officially gave explanations related to the incident. Besides, he thinks that fans as well as the public have misunderstood the problem he created.

Here's what this politician has to say regarding the 2023 World Scout Jamboree:

No one can deny that BTS is currently the top stars of Kpop, the pride of kσrєα. However, just because they have contributed to the country does not mean that they have to take responsibility for everything and have to correct anyone's mistakes that destroy the honor of the country. 

Because of this, it led to negative reactions from the public when MP Song Il Jong of the ruling Power People Party said that it was necessary to bring BTS, including members who are enlisting in the group, to perform at Kpop Super Live Concert in the framework of 2023 World Scout Jamboree. This plan was launched after the camp became a "national disgrace" due to poor organization, lack of facilities, environmental sanitation as well as medical floats, and lack of preparation for weather change and natural disasters.

When the plan was launched, ARMYs criticized that the government was trying to take advantage of BTS's reputation to cover up their wrongdoings, even using large taxpayers' money to prepare for events but turned them into an embarra̾s̾sing mess. In addition, many people also pointed out that it is politicians like Mr. Sung Il Jong who should be responsible for handling to restore the country's reputation instead of relying on BTS when they are just ordinary citizens. 

In response to public backlash, on August 9, Congressman Sung Il Jong of the People's Power Party appeared on an MBC radio program. He also gave more detailed explanations regarding his proposal as well as about the controversy that is at the center of attention.

First, the politician talked about BTS and gave the group well-deserved praise for their incredible contributions to K-Pop and kσrєαn culture in general. He stated: "BTS is kσrєα’s treasure. They are the best artists who are at the precipice of the Hallyu wave and are leading the cultural movement in its highest form."

Then the politician revealed why he called the supergroup to perform at the international event. He said: "The highlight of the event is the K-Pop concert. I asked them to perform because I felt it would help make a beautiful memory of kσrєα for the participants and gift them with an unforgettable gift."

Next, Sung Il Jong also mentioned the backlash he received when he called for the group to perform at Jamboree while revealing another arguably controversial issue that he was the forefront of a bill that would grant the supergroup immunity from the m̴i̴l̴i̴t̴a̴r̴y̴.. He continued: "I think ARMYs have misunderstood me. I think they are disappointed because we sent BTS to the m̴i̴l̴i̴t̴a̴r̴y̴ and are now asking them to save the Jamboree. To be honest, the politician who led a bill to grant amnesty for BTS was me. Because I understood the value of this treasure and because BTS are musicians who the nation can be proud of, I tried to afford them immunity."

As for criticism that the politician is treating the group as a tool at the disposal of the government, the politician has tried to clarify his position. He continued: "I gave an opinion as to whether it would be possible for the group to perform at the International event for scouts. Of course, because they have taken some time off (from group activities), it would be hard for all the members to perform. I feel discussing these things is necessary."

When asked if there has been any discussion about BTS' performance, the politician replied, "I haven't checked."

Even when giving explanations about the incident as well as making excuses for himself, this politician not only did not receive sympathy from fans, but it also made the wave of criticism even more intense. He seems to be blaming the anger on ARMY, saying that the group's fans are protesting because the government is not exempting BTS from their obligations while using them for a political event like the present. 

Below are comments from kσrєαn netizens regarding Sung Il Jong's response:

- He should retire as soon as he can't handle this case satisfactorily. Does he have no shame for what he has done, but continues to blame others?

- That is because you want Jin and Jhope to perform for free since they are serving and with that take an opportunity to have the whole group for free to make you look good for an event that has been a disaster so far!

- He deserves every bit of backlash 

- Unforgettable gift?

- Why don’t he perform instead

- lol when the politician called them national treasure. See this is why when the media prints hyperbole it gets to their fans’ heads and they think their idols are special or soṃệẗḧing pretty sure there are kσrєαn people who don’t like that idol group

- well-deserved because it was a foul to demand enlisted members to clean up their mess --- that's not part of what they signed up for!

- the embarra̾s̾sment of the sk politicians will never end if they insist on using bts to clean up their mess.

- Politicians should mind their words and not make statements like they own BTS or can order BTS around like some indentured labor. Salvaging disasters caused by Govt poor planning is NOT the responsibility of BTS.

- You sh1t somewhere and expecting other people to clean it for u. Lol bangtan can run for elections in their chapter 3

- I am speechless and angry about what they are doing to BTS.

- He should know his words at that time. Can't imagine a congress could say soṃệẗḧing trash like this

- For 6 years, politicians used the event fund to party, and now that the event is ruined, they are like ‘Ta-Da! BTS!’ LOL. Their efforts to twist this into som̾e̾t̾h ̾ing positive is hilarious