What is Korean Mandatory Military Service?
As the name suggests, the Korean Mandatory Military Service requires able-bodied Korean men between the ages of 18-28 to serve in the military for approximately two years. Every Korean male citizen is expected to fulfill this duty of mandatory military service. Failure to fulfill this responsibility will result in consequences.
Exemptions are rarely given, only limited to:
those who suffer from disabilities/disorders
athletes who have won,
gold medals at the Asian Games
any medal at the Olympics
international awards
Distinguished classical musicians
students in high school/training at institutions
These are just a few to mention. However, among these categories, artists in mainstream media are not allowed for exemptions. The Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Park Yangwoo states “Unlike classical arts or sports, it is difficult to fix the criteria of the selection in the popular culture and arts fields.”
What Is The Purpose Of Mandatory Military Service?
Essentially, the purpose of this Mandatory Military Service is to ensure “ national security and nation-building,” according to the article Debating South Korea’s Mandatory Military Service. South Korea is still very much at war with North Korea, only being that the circumstances are not as tragic as it was during the 1950s. The armistice that was signed in 1953 ended fighting between North and South Korea, however, there was never a full stop to the war. The lack of a formal peace treaty results in military training and preparation of South Korean males in case of attacks between the two nations.
What Is The Debate Surrounding The Topic Of Mandatory Military Service?
BTS is currently taking the world by storm, garnering global attention to their home country, South Korea. The South Korean government, although acknowledging the impact of BTS on their country, have asserted that the seven BTS members will not receive exemptions from their required military service. This topic has caused much controversy among many. We took it to our official Instagram and conducted a poll in an Instagram story, encompassing opinions from those who are and are not aware of BTS and their global success.
When posted the survey question, “Should K-Pop idols be exempt from the mandatory military service?” most, if not all responses showed a sense of disagreement. Some explanations received state:
“NO - They’re still people and citizens of their country.”
“NO - I don’t think they should get preferential treatment if they’re famous.”
“NO - They shouldn’t be exempted because of their fame, that could result in social inequality.”
The second survey question got more specific by bringing in the topic of BTS, asking, Do you think that pop-cultural figures, such as BTS, should attend South Korea’s military service? This question was one that limited answers to yes and no, with 72% of the respondents answering YES and 28% of the respondents answering NO. We also gave some background information on the legal exemptions, stating:
“The conscription delay (people who are allowed to push back the fate of entering the military) applies to the following:
Students in high school or above
People training at institutions
Sports professionals
Idols in pop culture do not fall under these three rules. Did this information change your stance on K-Pop idols and mandatory military service?”
The results show that of the people that responded, 47% said YES and 53% said NO. The responses received from this survey provide their insight as to why they believe that K-Pop idols should receive an exemption from the military service, reasoning that just as athletes undergo rigorous training, K-Pop idols undergo immense training before debuting. Another opinion states that if some professions are able to earn exemptions from the mandatory military service, then K-Pop idols can be exempt too.
However, since non-Koreans may not know all the ins and outs of the Korean Mandatary Military Service, this video helps to explain the perspective of whether BTS should receive a military exemption from Korean men themselves.
[insert “Korean Men Discuss Whether BTS Should Receive Military Service Exemption | STREET DEBATE” video from youtube]
The men in the video offer a variety of perspectives and insight on the mandatory military service in Korea and the debate about a potential military exemption for BTS. They mainly targeted the social, political, and economic aspects of the date. The men in the video acknowledge the global impact BTS has made, although not being fans of the group.
They are aware of how Korean culture has spread to countries overseas, with one particular interviewee sharingshares his experience of when he was studying in America, and how him mentioning he was from Korea spurred questions about BTS. He goes on to say “I think that BTS continuing their career in music is more beneficial for the country because they’re popular right now.”
Furthermore, interviewees discuss the political aspect of the situation. As of now, there are only certain groups of people that have received military exemptions, all of which take place as they have brought pride to the nation on an international-level competition. Some men do agree that it would be reasonable to exempt their military service when comparing BTS’ global success to that of getting an Olympics medal. However, many of the men contradict by saying there is no defined standard, assuming that if their global success does eventually become the reason for a potential military exemption, then the national government must establish “some kind of standard shown with numbers so its clear to everyone.”
Last but not least, when viewed economically, the men felt it was “a bit far-fetched to only look at this [situation] from an economic standpoint. Despite having accumulated billions towards the economy, permitting a military exemption with the reason for their substantial contribution to the government would mean the country would be equal to exempting male employees “who contributed significantly to the company’s marketing division.”
In addressing these 3 aspects, the men all seemed to have one general answer which was no, BTS should not receive a special military exemption. This was mainly because they felt that doing so would place BTS on a pedestal compared to other Korean male citizens, even compared to the other K-Pop male idols who have previously served in the military. Moreover, the unclear criteria regarding exemptions make the situation all the more confusing. These males also feel that it will be unfair to those who have already served in the military.
Well, What Does BTS Think?
This debate is mainly one that concerns the government and BTS, as they will be the ones mainly affected. The Korean government has declared that the seven BTS members will not be receiving an exemption, and BTS agrees. In the press conference of their latest album, Map of the Soul: 7, the oldest member, Jin, was asked about his military enlistment. He responds carefully stating that “Nothing has been decided yet and this is a sensitive topic but I believe that military service is a duty. If I am called, I‘m ready to serve any time.”
What do you think? Should BTS be exempt from the Korean Mandatory Military Service?
Sources:
Written by Shakthika Thevarajah
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