BTS Will Have to Serve in the Army

The government has decided not to exempt K-pop superband BTS from mandatory military service even though they have netted the country billions of dollars and made it more famous around the world.

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Their fans have urged the government to exempt them from the draft the same as sports stars. But the government cited the principle of equity in offering exemptions to artists and sports stars and said it also took into consideration that no strict standards have been set for pop stars.

In the more highbrow arts like classical music and ballet or in sports, winners of international contests or Olympic gold medalists usually exempt. The decision was reached in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon at the government complex in Sejong city on Thursday.

The government also decided to gradually cut the number of slots for alternative military service from 2022 through 2026 to recruit more active-duty soldiers amid a drop in the birthrate.

The number of places for alternative service will be cut from the current 7,500 to 6,200 by decreasing the quota allocated to skilled workers and those with masters' or higher degrees to serve as researchers. They must serve double the time of ordinary conscripts or 36 months.

The government decided to send all those on alternative service to small and medium-sized manufacturers of materials, components and machinery, which stand to suffer from staff shortages otherwise.

They will no longer be able to transfer to big companies after the first 18-month mandatory service period. From 2023, they will be limited to only men with doctorates.