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| Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration Lee Ki-sik speaks during a parliamentary audit at the National Assembly on Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap |
By Lee Yeon-woo
Military exemptions for the members that make up the K-pop behemoth BTS has pitted the ruling People Power Party (PPP) against the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) during the National Assembly audit on the Ministry of National Defense on Friday.
The ruling PPP members said BTS should fulfill their military duties as other Korean men do, while the DPK called for exemptions for the entertainers.
"Our military resource is decreasing. Fairness and equity are the two important principles to be applied in mandatory military service. In that sense, I think BTS should serve in the military," Lee Ki-sik, commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, said.
Lee's response coincided with defense minister Lee Jong-sup, who attended his ministry's annual audit held on Monday. Culture Minister Park Bo-gyoon also said Wednesday he is comprehensively reviewing various factors in his annual audit, and promised to make a decision this year.
Under the current law, all men who meet the physical-psychological requirements must serve in the military for about two years in Korea. Jin, the oldest member of BTS who will turn 30 this December, must enlist before his birthday if the law is not revised.
Some lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed with Lee.
Rep. Han Ki-ho from the PPP, who worked as a commander before stepping into politics, was the most enthusiastic about BTS' service. He quoted one of the BTS song's lyrics that says "I will go to the army on my own in time" and insisted even BTS clarified their will to do their duty for this country.
"Public opinion surveys showed more people are in favor of BTS' military service exemptions. But objections are being raised in terms of fairness and demoralizing soldiers. Those who support revising the act have their points, but I think we should also focus on the objections," Rep. Kim Ki-hyun from PPP said.
However, the opposition Democratic Party (DPK) insisted BTS can do an alternative service, whereby they can put their unique talent to good use in their field instead of serving in the military.
Rep. Sul Hoon from the DPK worries that BTS could potentially disband during their military service.
"If BTS disbands, it's a loss for the country. Why should we send them to the military and break the group? We have multiple choices such as alternative service or working in the industry (instead of military service)."
Lee disclosed that the Military Manpower Administration has no specific plan to build public consensus on this issue.
"We must decide what to consider first ― economic profits that BTS bring to the country or promoting our society's fairness and equity by sending them to the military. Do not spend too much time (making a decision). The Military Manpower Administration should announce persuasive opinions within this year after objective research," Rep. Lim Byung-heon from the PPP said in response.
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