BTS will not be exempt from mandatory military service despite the guidelines being revamped, the Korean culture minister has said.
Bad news for ARMYs everywhere.
While it’s mandatory for able-bodied young men in South Korea to undertake military service, there has previously been an exception for global award-winning athletes and classical musicians.
However, it seems it’s not going to be possible for the K-Pop heroes – especially since the guidelines are being altered to make them more fair.
‘In the case of BTS, I personally wish I could allow exemptions for them under certain standards, but the Military Manpower Administration and the Ministry of National Defense [in charge of conscription] are inclined to downsize the overall scope [of exemption],’ Culture Minister Park Yang-woo said, according to Yonhap News.
He added: ‘Unlike classical arts or sports, it is difficult to fix the criteria of the selection in the popular culture and arts fields, which makes it difficult to institutionalise [a waiver system].’