As the issue of K-pop superstars BTS’ military service continues to become a hot topic, a new survey showed Koreans are in favor of giving them exemption from the mandatory duty.
The National Assembly, Korea’s legislature, commissioned a survey to know the opinion of the public on whether BTS should be given military service exemption.
If there is no new law passed, Jin, BTS’ oldest member, will be the first member to enlist in the military.
The National Assembly’s National Defense Committee commissioned firm Realmeter to conduct the survey.
Realmeter conducted the survey on Sept. 14 and 15 among 1,018 Koreans aged 18 and above consisting of 505 men (49.6 percent) and 513 women (50.4 percent).
They were asked whether they agree or disagree on a proposal to amend the country’s Military Service Act to include pop culture artists who have promoted Korea’s national prestige to be granted alternative service for their military service.
The results showed that 60.9 percent of the respondents are in favor of giving them alternative service while 34.3 percent were against.
Of the 34.3 percent of the respondents who were against it, 58.7 percent of them were in favor of allowing pop artists to hold performances for the public interest while they are fulfilling their military service. A total of 37.7 percent disagreed.
The total of 60.9 percent is down compared to a similar survey done by Realmeter in April that showed 65.5 percent were in favor of granting military service exemption to BTS. A total of 30.2 percent were against while 4.3 percent answered “I don’t know.”
Under Korea’s Military Service Act, "art and sports personnel" refers to “persons with special skills in the field of arts or sports who are assigned ... and perform duties in the field of arts or sports to promote culture and enhance national prestige.” They are recommended for exemption by the minister of culture, sports and tourism.
“The period of mandatory service of art and sports personnel shall be two years and ten months, and they shall be deemed to have completed their service as social work personnel upon expiration of such period,” according to Article 33-8 of the law.
It added, “Art and sports personnel shall be under the direction and supervision of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism regarding the development of special skills in the relevant fields and regarding their mandatory service. Art and sports personnel shall engage in voluntary activities by utilizing their special skills regarding arts and sports. In such cases, matters necessary for the subjects, period and implementation procedures of voluntary activities shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.”
The pending bill in the National Assembly seeks to amend the military law to include pop artists like BTS under the list of art and sports personnel that will be given military service exemption.