Expert's take on controversy over BTS's military exemption issue

"국가 이미지 제고에 기여"…전문가들이 본 BTS 병역 특례 이슈

Welcome to Dialogue This Week.
In this corner we invite guests from in and out of Korea to talk about a wide variety of issues ranging from culture and sports, to the latest trends around the world.
Today, we are going to talk about a very contentious issue, on whether K-pop boyband BTS should be able to get an exemption from serving in the Korean military.
Just last week, South Korean lawmakers were busy debating over whether BTS could be exempted from military service, as all able-bodied South Korean men must carry out compulsory military service for about two years.
Under the current law, exemptions have only been given to international award-winning athletes and classical musicians for their roles in elevating the country's reputation abroad.
The issue had been brought up as Jin, the oldest member of BTS was born in December 1992, and would've had to enlist.
But, news came in that, BTS has filed for a deferment of military enlistment.
Thanks to the amendment to the Military Service Act for outstanding persons in the field of pop culture and art, all BTS members have now applied to postpone their enlistment until the age of 30.
This means, Jin can be active in BTS until his birthday in December 2022, allowing all members of the group to perform as a complete group until then.
But this doesn't mean that the controversy is over as the discussions are expected to resume again late next year.

To delve deeper into the contentious issue we are joined by Mason Richey, Associate Professor of International Politics at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Professor Kim Young-jun from the Korea National Defense University, both via Skype.

Good morning, great to have you both on our show.

1.(KIM) Let's begin with Professor Kim, Conscription in South Korea has been in place since 1957, meaning that once a male citizen turns 18, his mandatory military service comes into effect.
To start with a little bit of background on the compulsory military service here in South Korea... what is the status quo? What has changed since the military law came into effect 64 years ago?

2. (RICHEY) Now this goes back to one of the primary reasons that we have a mandatory enlistment system in South Korea, which is that the Korean war only ended in an armistice in 1953. Now Professor Richey there have been recent talks of an 'end-of-war declaration' between the two Koreas.
If this were to actualize, could this bring changes to the military draft?

3. (KIM) Conscientious objection to military service in South Korea is punishable with up to three years in prison. Professor Kim, how much flexibility does the South Korean Military Service Act give towards "a valid reason" that these objectors propose? like for instance health issues and accomplishments?

4.(RICHEY)Professor Richey, like we've touched upon, the Military Service Act does exempt individuals under certain circumstances from mandatory service... most commonly those that are exempt don't meet the draft physical examination requirements... and the current law excuses Olympic and Asian Games medalists, as well as classical musicians who win awards in international or national contests. What is your stance on the terms of exemption?

5. (KIM) What about you Professor Kim, what is your stance on the overall premise of military service exemption, and why do we have lawmakers pushing for amendments to the law?

6.** (RICHEY)Now, the hot potato in terms of military service exemption... last month, a fresh bill proposing military exemptions for K-pop artists reignited controversy... and of course the attention is focused on BTS.
It was just a year ago when South Korea's parliament passed a bill allowing K-pop stars to defer their service until the age of 30 under the recommendation of the culture minister.
With their oldest member Jin, who is turning 30 next year, the debate has returned.
Professor Richey, do you believe that BTS meets the requirements for military service exemption?

7. ** (KIM) ((The spokesperson for Korea’s defense ministry said that the military is considering "situational variables" over the so-called BTS law that was discussed at the National Assembly last month... this bill would excuse men from military service if they promoted national prestige. The bill remains at a standstill...
Not only does BTS promote national prestige, but data from the Hyundai Research Institute shows that the boy band brings about $5 billion U.S. dollars into Korea every year. ))
What about you Professor Kim, do you feel that BTS should be exempt?

#BTS #Military_Service #Military_Enlistment

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2021-12-03, 08:00 (KST)