South Korea is set to conduct a public survey to help determine whether to grant exemptions to mandatory military service to members of the K-pop boyband BTS.
The issue of active military service for the band’s seven members has been a hot topic in South Korea because its oldest member, Jin, faces enlistment in December, when he turns 30.
By law, all able-bodied men in South Korea must serve 18-21 months in the military under a conscription system established to deal with threats from rival North Korea.
But the country gives exemption to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers who win top places in certain competitions because they are considered to have enhanced national prestige.
