DISPUTE OVER BTS MEMBER’S MILITARY SERVICE

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Should BTS members be exempted from military duty? This question sparked controversy when the ruling party first raised it. But now Culture Minister Park Yang-woo revealed at yesterday's parliamentary inspection that the issue should be reviewed in a forward-looking way. The controversy is likely to continue as a revision bill has already been presented at the National Assembly.

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The controversy started at the ruling Democratic Party's top officials' meeting.

[Soundbite] NOH WOONG-RAE(DEMOCRATIC PARTY (OCT. 5)) : "We must now seriously discuss giving BTS military exemption or deferment. All Koreans are obligated to fulfill the sacred duty of national defense, but not everyone must take up a rifle."

BTS has generated economic effects worth 1.7 trillion won by topping the Billboard's Top 100 chart. He argued that pop artists should be eligible for special military treatment. This proposal has led to a debate about fairness which caused the head of the Democratic Party to put a halt on the discussion.

[Soundbite] LEE NAK-YON(CHAIRMAN, DEMOCRATIC PARTY) : "Let's stay quiet on this issue, because the public feels uncomfortable about it and it's not what BTS members want either."

The revision bill of the Military Service Act tabled at the National Assembly last month includes notable pop culture figures to be eligible for deferment of military conscription. The bill basically says that special military treatment formerly granted to only acclaimed classical artists or medal-winning athletes should be expanded to include globally famous pop singers such as BTS. When a question about this issue was asked at the parliamentary inspection of the government, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism answered in a positive way.

[Soundbite] PARK YANG-WOO(MINISTER OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM) : "I believe the special military service issue for pop artists should be reviewed in a positive light. But we have to consider the positions of the Defense Ministry and the Military Manpower Administration as well as the public sentiment."

But BTS members have already publicly stated that they are willing to fulfill their military duty. The group's worldwide fan club, Army, also criticized the politicians for fueling the controversy.

[Soundbite] JIN(BTS MEMBER (LAST FEB.)) : "I believe it is my duty to fulfill my military service and I will accept my country's call anytime."

Disputes remain surrounding the fairness on this issue. Criticism is likely to continue unless special military guidelines become more generally agreeable.